Chicago Cubs Rumors: Michael Conforto signs with San Francisco Giants

The Chicago Cubs have a need for a power-hitter and ideally, that would come in the form of a left-handed bat and that would be the reason why Michael Conforto has been a prevalent name in the rumor mill over the course of recent weeks. Unfortunately, Conforto won't be joining the Cubs as he reached an agreement with the San Francisco Giants on Friday.

While Conforto would not have had a clear position on the Cubs, there is no question that his bat certainly would have been fit in the Cubs' lineup. For the Giants, it likely is reassuring that Conforto reached an agreement with the team after the miscue that happened earlier in the week with free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa. Conforto, like Correa, is represented by Scott Boras.

While Conforto certainly checked the box of a left-handed hitter with power to add balance to the Cubs' lineup, don't expect the team to pivot to another left-handed hitter for the sole purpose of saying they added a left-handed hitter to the lineup. The remaining left-handed hitters on the market are far less superior options for the Cubs in comparison to free-agent first baseman Trey Mancini.

Mancini, a right-handed power option that could serve as a platoon partner with Matt Mervis at first base, has been linked to the Cubs over the course of the past month. Like the additions of Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, and Tucker Barnhart, Mancini would also serve as a leader in the Cubs' clubhouse.

Mancini wouldn't necessarily preclude the Cubs from adding a left-handed bat. Former New York Mets first baseman/corner outfielder Dominic Smith remains on the free-agent market. Smith, given his struggles in recent seasons, likely could be a had on a minor league deal. The Cubs were linked to Smith at the Major League Baseball trade deadline last season and it is believed the team had a meeting with him at the Winter Meetings earlier this month.