Before the start of the 2020 MLB season, the New York Mets made two more free-agent signings. They signed Juan Lagares and Brian Dozier to minor league deals and added both players to the Mets 60-man player pool.
Juan Lagares
After six seasons in New York, Lagares signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on February 10, 2020. Lagares elected free agency when he did not make the Padres 60-man pool and the Mets brought him back.
Lagares is one of the best defensive center fielders in the league and won a gold glove in 2014. His bat has always held him back a bit as he is a lifetime .254 hitter. He never hit more than six home runs in a season but has phenomenal speed and can potentially be a defensive replacement for the Mets later this year.
Brian Dozier
From 2016-17, Brian Dozier hit a total of 76 home runs and drove in 192 RBI’s. However, the second basemen has been with three different organizations and was most recently released by the Padres earlier this month.
At 33 years-old, Dozier was an All-Star in 2015 and also won a gold glove back in 2017. While he never hit for much of an average in his career, he is definitely one of the most powerful hitters in baseball.
With Jed Lowrie’s future with the New York Mets in doubt, Dozier can potentially impact the Mets at second base. When Robinson Cano needs a day off, Dozier can fill in and keep Jeff McNeil at third base regularly.
The Mets also released Melky Cabrera and Gordon Beckham who they signed earlier in the summer and currently have 57 players on the player pool. Neither Lagares nor Dozier were on the opening day roster but can be added at any point. This also gives the Mets tremendous depth which they have not had in recent years. With no minor league season, both players will work out with the team awaiting a call-up.
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