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New York Mets Rumors: Juan Lagares Playing Left Field?

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 8, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares (12) runs to third during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares (12) runs to third during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Mets Rumors: Could the Mets be using Juan Lagares all over the outfield in 2016 instead of exclusively in center field?

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New York Mets rumors in the outfield have revolved around Alejandro De Aza most offseason, as his role with the team was diminished with Yoenis Cespedes making a surprise return to the team. With Cespedes back in the fold, it pushed De Aza into a fifth outfield role, as he was no longer needed as a platoon partner for Juan Lagares.

But, with Cespedes now in line to dominate playing time in center, and Michael Conforto earning everday at-bats in left field with Curtis Granderson in right, Lagares may not see the field much either. With the defensive prowess that Cespedes has in left field and Lagares has in center, it would make sense that the defensive alignment would look like that whenever Lagares was in the field; it is what worked for the Mets last season so continuing that this season would make sense.

But, there is no guarantee that will be what happens during the 2016 season. Despite the success the Mets saw using that lineup last year, it seems as if manager Terry Collins may switch things up this season. Against the Washington Nationals on Friday in their Grapefruit League game, Lagares started in left field with Cespedes in center and it was something Collins said was done intentionally because it is an alignment he is considering using when the regular season gets underway.

If that is indeed the course of action the Mets take, it seems to be with the interest of Cespedes in mind. The Mets do not want to shuffle him around as much this season as they did last season, with Collins saying, “We’ve talked about whether or not moving him around is the best thing,” in reference to Cespedes. Instead, it seems that the Mets may shuffle around Lagares off the bench instead.

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“I want to get him comfortable in other places besides center field. You never know where he’s going to play and what areas we’re going to use him in. He’s open to it, but he’s got to play some other spots,” Collins said when talking about Lagares on Friday.

The situation still remains fluid, as the Mets have not made any decisions regarding how their outfield will look on an everyday basis. If Cespedes had his way, it would be as the left fielder; he acknowledged to ESPN’s Marly Rivera that left field is where he prefers to play, but ultimately it comes down to what the team needs from him.

“If I had the choice, I would stay in left field. But I will play where the team needs me,” Cespedes told Rivera in Spanish. “If they want me to play center field, I’ll play center field, and I’ll do the best I can.”

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Wherever Cespedes plays, the Mets are just happy to have him back in their uniform after he electrified the city and team last season, playing a pivitol role in their success down the stretch of the 2015 regular season and post season run.

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