Juan Lagares
OF FA
Mon 8/31/20 1:37 PM

Lagares was granted his release Monday after refusing his outright assignment to the Mets' alternate training site, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
EDGE Analysis
With two other defensive-minded center fielders ahead of him in the pecking order in Jake Marisnick and Billy Hamilton, Lagares was deemed expendable by the Mets, who designated him for assignment last week. Though he went unclaimed off waivers, Lagares decided to try his luck in another organization rather than returning to the Mets' alternate training site. He could resurface in the majors in September if other teams are in need of experienced outfield depth.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Fri 8/28/20 1:18 PM

Lagares was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Mets purchased the 31-year-old's contract Tuesday, and he didn't have a plate appearance in his two games with the team. Lagares could return to the alternate training site if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Tue 8/25/20 3:11 PM

Lagares' contract was purchased prior to Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Lagares has not had much success as a hitter in recent seasons, but he could get the occassional start and could also serve as a defensive replacement late in games. Andres Gimenez was placed on the injured list for an undisclosed reason as a corresponding move.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Wed 7/22/20 2:14 PM

Lagares signed a minor-league deal with the Mets on Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.
EDGE Analysis
Lagares had spent his entire professional career, which began back in 2006, in the Mets' organization before joining the Padres on a minor-league deal in February. He elected free agency after failing to make the team's 60-man player pool and is now back in his original big-league home. He'll fill a depth role for the Mets once he's back in game shape, though he may be behind Jake Marisnick as the team's fourth outfielder.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Tue 7/14/20 5:24 PM

Lagares elected free agency Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
Lagares was left off the Padres' 60-man roster for the 2020 season, and he'll become a free agent ahead of the start of the regular season. Given the limited roster space that teams have this season, it's unclear whether Lagares will be able to land a contract elsewhere this season. The 31-year-old struggled in 2019 with a .213/.279/.326 with five home runs and 27 RBI over 133 games with the Mets.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Mon 6/29/20 12:18 PM

Lagares was not listed among the initial 52 players who will participate in the Padres' summer camp.
EDGE Analysis
The Padres still have eight open spots, so Lagares could still be among the players included in the 60-man player pool. It's possible that he was invited and declined over health concerns, given that he was in camp on a minor-league deal.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Fri 3/27/20 12:44 AM

Lagares was competing for a spot on Opening Day roster before spring training was suspended, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. He has the option to opt out of his contract if he does not make the 26-man roster, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
EDGE Analysis
San Diego signed Lagares to a minor-league deal Feb. 10 that included an opt-out clause slated to kick in if he was not placed on the 26-man roster by March 19. That date has come and gone, but MLB's decision to suspend spring training and delay the start of the regular season per a March 12 announcement has negated the significance of the original deadline, which was set for one week prior to Opening Day. Lagares didn't make much of a case for a roster spot prior to the suspension of play as he slashed a paltry .185/.267/.185 across 30 Cactus League plate appearances.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Mon 2/10/20 7:44 PM

Lagares agreed to a minor-league contract with the Padres on Monday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Lagares could make another $1 million in performance bonuses throughout the 2020 campaign if he makes the big-league club. The outfielder played in 133 contests for the Mets a season ago, turning in the worst slash line of his career. He put together a .213/.279/.326 line with five home runs, 27 RBI and four stolen bases in 2019.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Fri 11/1/19 7:29 PM

Lagares had his $9.5 million team option for the 2020 season declined, making him a free agent, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.
EDGE Analysis
This isn't all that surprising of a move by the Mets, as Lagares struggled to a .213/.279/.326 slash line with five homers and 27 RBI over 133 games in 2019.

Juan Lagares
OF FA
Sun 9/15/19 3:08 PM

Lagares is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
EDGE Analysis
Lagares started the last four contests -- all against left-handed starters -- and will return to the bench Sunday with righty Walker Buehler on the mound for the Dodgers. Brandon Nimmo starts in center field Sunday, and the pair figure to split time down the stretch for the Mets.