Cubs are confronting harsh reality about Michael Conforto turnaround

Michael Conforto was an early-season success story for the Chicago Cubs as it looked like the former All-Star outfielder had turned the page from his struggles with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. The Cubs were being selective with how they used Conforto, and it was working. That may not be the case anymore.

There certainly are much larger problems on the Cubs roster than Conforto. For example, Dansby Swanson's contract now looks like an albatross moving forward. And if Alex Bregman remains inconsistent, that is a serious problem beyond this season.

Having said that, as the Cubs look for ways to get Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez into the lineup more regularly, it's become clear that it should come at the expense of Conforto. Assuming that Craig Counsell isn't willing to do something bold by removing Swanson from the starting lineup.

Conforto has 5 hits in his last 51 plate appearances. That's good for a slash line of .109/.196/.261 with a wRC+ of 29. There's been notable dips across the board. Even more concerning, Conforto's strikeouts are on the rise. During that same stretch, Conforto is striking out over 41% of the time.

Michael Conforto's Cubs' experiment might come to an end soon

As a whole, Conforto's numbers still are impressive. He carries a 118 wRC+ entering play on Tuesday, and given the success he had to start the season, it's fair to suggest that he's likely going to be given some room to work his out of this current stretch.

It's certainly possible he does, but it's worth pointing out that even with the struggles the Cubs have had offensively over the past month, Counsell has deviated from the original plan with Conforto. Of his 114 plate appearances this season, only 4 have been against left-handed pitchers.

In other words, Conforto's struggles isn't due to him being exposed to right-handed pitching.

In the event that the Cubs do reach the point where they move on from Conforto, there's not a clear option to replace him. Tyler Austin isn't expected to play for the Cubs this season, and Kevin Alcantara likely has squandered his opportunity for the year. Chas McCormick is still with the Iowa Cubs, but not exactly making the case to be an option on the bench.

Replacing Conforto could certainly be one move the Cubs make at the deadline, but right now, that conversation seems premature. For now, the hope is that Conforto reverts to the player he was at the start of the season.

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