With the Mets searching for as much offense they can find and the outfield dragging an already meager offense down, there could be a shift in playing time in center field.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Mets are considering affording more opportunities for Darrell Ceciliani in center field, especially against right-handed pitching where Juan Lagares has struggled so mightily.
It wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world. Lagares has been a mess for about two months short of a little hitting streak in early June, and his .241/.258/.308 line against the right side is simply not passable here. On top of that, Lagares’ defense in center field has been league average at best this season – presumably because of injury – which only makes his shortcomings with the bat less tolerable.
Lagares’ biggest problem continues to be that he chases way too many pitches – especially breaking pitches – out of the zone. It’s not clear whether it’s a pitch recognition issue, a sheer lack of plate discipline, or both. The Mets were willing to deal with this provided he continued to play Gold Glove caliber defense, and that has not happened.
Ceciliani would not transform this lineup by any means. But it’s a change the Mets might be faced with, along with the possibility of eventually considering a platoon between Michael Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson, and actually finding one or more stabilizing, everyday forces in the outfield.
Just Mets 