The Mets have struck minor-league deals with outfielder Juan Lagares and infielder Brian Dozier, according to reports from Deesha Thosar of the New York Post (Twitter link) and MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo (via Twitter). Both will join the 60-man player pool.
It’s certainly an interesting mix of new additions for the New York club. Both players ended up back on the open market after they failed to stick with the Padres. Each has a history in the division.
Lagares has still yet to suit up for a team other than the Mets for regular-season action. The 31-year-old spent seven seasons with the team but departed over the winter. Now, he’ll take up a spot on the depth chart but likely won’t have an opportunity in the majors other than as a fill-in player. Lagares owns a .254/.297/.361 slash in over 2,000 career plate appearances.
As for Dozier, he’s fresh off of a season with the NL East-rival Nationals. The veteran second baseman turned in a useful .238/.340/.430 batting line over 482 plate appearances but was largely displaced late in the season. He is now several seasons removed from his days as a star slugger with the Twins but still looks to be a nice insurance policy for the Mets.
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