Mets center fielder Juan Lagares is drawing trade interest, according to The Post’s Mike Puma.
Lagares, the Mets’ best outfield defender, is penciled in as a reserve who would start in center against some lefties, spelling Curtis Granderson.
The former Gold Glove winner is set to make $4.5 million in his age-28 season, and is on the hook for salaries of $6.5 million and $9 million the following two years, with a $500,000 buyout on a $9.5 million club option for 2020.
The Mets could invest the salary savings from a potential Lagares trade in their bullpen, which is lacking in veteran setup men — especially a proven lefty. The Mets outfield boasts depth in Granderson, Yoenis Cespedes, Jay Bruce, Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo.
Lagares has plateaued as a hitter in recent seasons, and last year put up a meager .239 average and .682 OPS (with three homers and four steals) while being limited to 160 plate appearances as he coped with a thumb injury that eventually required surgery.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
