Ed Delany, MMO
Juan Lagares could begin the season with a team that isn’t the New York Mets.
Industry sources told Mike Puma of the New York Post that the Mets have received calls on the former Gold Glove winning outfielder and that they have debated trading him.
Brandon Nimmo has come out guns blazing this spring, which would make Lagares expendable, coupled with Michael Conforto progressing faster than expected and a return date of May 1 as the goal.
According to Puma, at least one American League club has maintained interest in Lagares, who is making $6.5 million this year and $9 million next year before hitting free agency.
Should Lagares be traded, the Mets would rely on Conforto, Nimmo, Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes to hold down the outfield. Beyond that, they are a bit thin. They brought back Matt den Dekker on a minor league pact this offseason, and have tried Phillip Evans out in the outfield as well, so they would figure to slot in in case of injury.
Entering play Tuesday, Lagares had gone 4-for-20 in spring contests, while his primary competition, Brandon Nimmo, launched another homer Tuesday and entered play going 11-for-32.
