Cubs may have solved the Michael Conforto problem the Dodgers could never figure out

Los Angeles Dodgers fans were quick with the jokes when the Chicago Cubs signed Michael Conforto to a minor-league deal at the start of spring training. Given the struggles Conforto had with the Dodgers, there was no reason to believe that Conforto was going to have an extended stay on the Cubs' roster if he were to break camp with the team. It's Conforto who may be getting the last laugh.

Conforto is primarily a bench bat for the Cubs this season, though Craig Counsell has shown a preference to get him in the lineup against right-handed pitchers he's favored well against. It's a plan that has worked masterfully.

Through 45 plate appearances this year, Conforto is slashing .361/.467/.667 with a wRC+ of 211. 44 of his 45 plate appearances have come against right-handed pitchers. It's the biggest difference between what the Cubs are doing with Conforto and what the Dodgers failed to figure out.

Cubs figured out what the Dodgers couldn't with Michael Conforto

When Conforto was with the Dodgers, their outfield situation forced the veteran into being an everyday player. The 33-year-old was once an All-Star with the New York Mets, but since he made his return from injury, he's been best served as a platoon player. Specifically, identifying the pitchers that Conforto can take advantage of. That is what Dave Roberts and Co. failed to realize.

Conforto's production speaks to the one area the Cubs have improved the most this season. With Conforto, Matt Shaw, and Miguel Amaya all producing meaningful at-bats for the Cubs this year, it represents one of the first times in recent memory that the bench isn't a glaring weakness of the roster. It's what allowed Counsell to find days to give regulars rest.

Case in point, Seiya Suzuki had the day off against the Reds on Thursday. Conforto got the start in right field and went 3-3 with a home run and 2 RBI. A reminder that the Cubs' offensive success this season isn't just limited to their starting players.

As the Cubs looked at the success the Dodgers have had in recent years, it's been because of the number of productive players they have at their disposal. LA still has that, but as Conforto's success has confirmed, the Cubs have finally taken a page out of their playbook.

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