Pitchers and catchers may report to Spring Training in 8 days, but that doesn’t mean the time for the New York Mets to make moves is over. According to New York Post beat reporter Mike Puma, some teams may be interested in Juan Lagares. Adam Rubin of ESPN feels dealing Lagares would be tough considering his salary.
Lagares is owed $4.5 million in 2017, $6.5 million in 2018 and $9 million in 2019. The deal also includes a $9.5 million option for 2020 that has a $500,000 buyout.
Still, some teams could be a fit for the Gold Glove outfielder.
San Diego Padres
MLB.com predicts the San Diego Padres outfield to consist of Alex Dickerson, Travis Jankowski, and Hunter Renfroe. This is reminiscent of the Mets 2012-2013 offseason when the outfield situation caused Sandy Alderson to ask “Outfield? What outfield?”
These three outfielders combine for five years of Major League experience. They also combine for 18 home runs, 75 RBI and a .251 batting average in 271 games played. What’s worse is that Manuel Margot is the only other outfielder projected to be on their depth chart. He also doesn’t bring much MLB experience as he has only played in 10 games, but is a top prospect.
There is no doubt that the Padres could use Lagares. While they probably want to avoid spending money after their spending frenzy in the 2014-2015 offseason, they will have to sooner or later if they ever want to compete again.
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers had a decent offense in 2016. They scored 750 runs which was good for 11th best in the Majors. Their corner outfielders helped contribute to that cause as Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez scored 150 runs and drove in 155 runs.
Going into 2017, the Tigers will have top-notch outfielders at the corners, but in center they will most likely have Mikie Mahtook. The former 2011 first-rounder hasn’t yet caught on in his limited time in the Majors. His stock has been dropping. And while he has played many games at center fielder, he’s really been moved all over the outfield. Starting Mahtook in center everyday, or most days, isn’t an ideal situation for the Tigers.
For a Tigers team that went 86-76 in 2016, it’s not crazy to say they can compete in 2017. An acquisition like Lagares can give them the true center fielder they need and a little bit more certainty than they currently have with Mahtook. With the offensive corner outfielders they currently have, they can afford to subtract some offense for defense.
Chicago White Sox
Similarly to the Padres, the Chicago White Sox don’t have an experienced outfield; specifically in center. The four projected White Sox center fielders by MLB.com are Charlie Tilson, Leury Garcia, Adam Engel, and Jacob May. May and Engel don’t have a Major League game under their belt and Tilson only has exactly one under his belt. Garcia has 153 MLB games played since 2013, but has only batted .188/.225/.237 with two home runs, 14 RBI, 29 runs, and 21 stolen bases.
After Adam Eaton was traded to the Washington Nationals in the offseason, the White Sox have struggled to find a worthy replacement. While Lagares’ career slash line of .259/.298/.366 isn’t as good as Eaton’s .284/.357/.414 career slash line, his defense was better than Eaton’s from 2013-2015 according to defensive WAR. Nonetheless, Eaton is off the team and Lagares would be a good fit for the White Sox with what they have now.
