Reports: Mets, Juan Lagares Closing In On 4-Year Contract Extension
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- According to multiple reports, the Mets are closing in on a four-year contract extension with center fielder Juan Lagares.
The deal is reportedly for $23 million.
Lagares, 26, is one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball. He's expected to lead off for New York in 2015. Manager Terry Collins has hinted, however, that he may bat him ninth after the pitcher from time to time.
Lagares won his first Gold Glove Award in 2014. In 116 games he hit .281 with four homers and 47 RBIs. He added 24 doubles and stole 13 bases.
The Dominican is having a very strong spring, batting .345 (19-for-55) with three home runs, six doubles, a triple and five walks.
Numerous media outlets are also reporting that Dillon Gee has beat out Rafael Montero for the fifth spot in the Mets' starting rotation.
Gee was expected to enter the rotation when Zack Wheeler went down for the season, but Montero was brilliant this spring and forced Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson to make a decision.
Montero has a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings pitched this spring. He's allowed just 11 hits and has displayed fantastic command, striking out 14 and walking two.
Gee held serve, however, impressing as well down in Florida. The right-hander has pitched to a 2.49 ERA in 21 2/3 innings. He hasn't been as sharp as Montero, however, recording eight strikeouts and eight walks.
Montero will likely come out of the bullpen to start the season.
