Juan Lagares, the Gold Glove Award-winning former outfielder for the Mets, announced his retirement on Thursday, concluding a two-decade career in professional baseball.
Reflecting on his journey, Lagares expressed gratitude to Aguilas Sibaenhas of the Dominican Republic Winter League, where he played for the past four years. In a social media post, he shared, “Thank you so much, my Aguilas family. Thank you for your unconditional support on and off the field. I will be forever grateful. May God bless you always.”
Hailing from Constanza, Dominican Republic, Lagares launched his professional journey in 2006 after signing with the Mets as an international free agent.
He climbed through the ranks of the Mets organization, known primarily for his exceptional defensive skills, finally making his MLB debut in April 2013. He won the Gold Glove Award the following year.
During his rookie season, Lagares made an impressive mark. From July 15 to 21, 2013, he was named the National League Player of the Week, boasting a .700 batting average, a home run, and five RBIs. Overall, that season, he played 121 games, hitting .242 with four home runs and 34 RBIs, while also setting a franchise rookie record with 15 assists as an outfielder.
In 2014, after being included in the Mets’ Opening Day lineup, Lagares suffered a right hamstring injury in mid-April. Even though he faced setbacks after returning, he nevertheless had a standout season, hitting .281 with four home runs and 47 RBIs. It was a season that earned him the coveted Gold Glove Award, making him the only Mets outfielder to receive this honor alongside legends Tommy Agee and Carlos Beltrán.
After Lagares won the award, teammate Curtis Granderson praised his abilities, highlighting his impressive fielding skills and accuracy. Granderson recalled, “When you think about all the center fielders that play in the game, not many have that kind of accuracy and arm strength.”
With his improvements both defensively and at bat, the Mets signed Lagares to a four-year, $23 million extension in April 2015. However, while he continued to shine defensively, he struggled to elevate his offensive performance, often appearing as the fourth outfielder amid ongoing injuries.
In 2020, Lagares signed a minor league deal with the Padres but didn’t make any major league appearances. He eventually returned to the Mets later that year, appearing in just two games.
His final two seasons in the MLB were with the Angels. From 2021 to 2022, Lagares maintained a batting average of .228 and hit six home runs.
The Mets honored him last April before their home opener, when Lagares had the privilege of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
