NY Mets, Juan Lagares Agree on a 4-year Contract Extension
The New York Mets and Juan Lagares have agreed on a four-year contract extension on top of his 2015 contract, Yahoo! Sports reported, citing major league sources. The 26-year-old outfielder will be making $23 million through 2019 with an option for 2020.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to be in this organization and for the team giving me the opportunity when I was 16 years old in the Dominican," Lagares said according to the NY Post. "This is where I want to be."
The contract will be finalized after a physical on Thursday. Lagares will make $2.5 million in his first year followed by $4.5 million, $6.5 million and $9 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. His 2020 option is $9.5 million with a $500,000 buyout.
In his two seasons with the Mets, Lagares batted .262/.302/.368. However, it is not his arm that gained him recognition in the baseball world.
Lagares is more widely known for his great defense in center field. ESPN Stats & Information reported that Lagares led all major league center fielders in defensive runs saves with 28 in 2014. He also won his first Gold Glove Award this past year and became the third Met to win the award after Carlos Beltran and Tommie Agee.
In the 2014 season, he batted .281 with four homeruns, 47 RBIs and 24 doubles. He also recorded 13 stolen bases.
He is expected to be the leadoff man for New York. In the meantime, the Mets are reportedly still negotiating contract extension details with Lucas Duda. ESPN.com is reporting that Duda could be offered a four-year contract worth about $31 million.
