Juan Lagares has re-signed with the New York Mets. He had his physical in New York on Thursday.
According to the New York Daily News, the deal is for five years and is worth $23 million. Lagares is now signed through 2019. The deal buys out Lagares’ years of arbitration eligibility and gives the Mets an option in 2020. The option in 2020 is a $9.5 million option with a $500,000 buyout. Lagares retains his salary for this year from a March 6 deal. In 2016 he will make $2.5 million, $4.5 million in 2017, $6.5 million in 2018, and $9 million in 2019.
"I love the Mets," Lagares said. "That's the thing. They gave me the opportunity when I was 16 years old. They gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues with them. That's nice, that's the thing I play my heart out for. It's where I want to be."
Lagares is a work in progress offensively. However he is slowly becoming the hitter that the Mets need. Last year he hit .281 with four homeruns, 47 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases, and won the Golden Glove for outstanding defensive play, according to the Associated Press. Lagares has a career average of .262 with a .302 on-base percentage and a .368 slugging percentage.
The Mets are negotiating a long-term deal with first baseman Lucas Duda, who can be a free agent after the 2017 season. Duda hit 30 homeruns and had 92 RBIs last year.