EXPECTATIONS FOR 18: Juan Lagares

[Edgy MD]

Uppercut. That's the story. I got the most-written-about uppercut since Muhammad Ali. It's got a life of it's own. If I hit, it'll be attributed to the uppercut. If I don't, it'll be blamed on the uppercut. My defense, baserunning, if I gain weight, if I see Hamilton? Uppercut.

I wish I shut up about the stupid uppercut. Or my agent did or whoever leaked it. I'm just trying to stay healthy and play some baseball here. Hopefully I can still establish the value of my defense and add to it with some offense. I'm a big league dude!

How big? How dude? Put your answer below.

[fimg=225]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2179339.1428603143!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_750/lagaresviva10f-1-web.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=124]http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Juan+Lagares+Los+Angeles+Dodgers+v+New+York+sYu5Pg_N-sMx.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=351]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSW-5oHpeoN0nuuu4Ye2UeETnh9MINEtSeuRcG8ywbycEQ4spnjTA[/fimg]
[fimg=300]http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2015/04/23/images/mlbf_84653783_th_43.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=98]https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2015/04/Lagares2.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=302]https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2017/06/16/images/mlbf_1502079683_th_45.jpg[/fimg]
[fimg=300]http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/929/213/hi-res-c1405eff2c7919b3c861843d9d887757_crop_north.jpg?h=533&w=800&q=70&crop_x=center&crop_y=top[/fimg] [fimg=133]https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11517049.1457476882!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.JPG[/fimg] [fimg=267]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/23/1e/ff/231eff68762d88b8f91b975182aa3c06.jpg[/fimg]

Want to know what to do with your weekend? Spend a little time watching a legit Gold Glover gettin' it done.

QqiAZhL3iCg

[Mex17]

He might be more essential than you think.

What if Gonzalez bombs and Smith proves that he is not going to make it in the bigs? If both those things happen, Bruce then becomes the primary first baseman, leaving Cespedes/Conforto/Nimmo/Lagares as your outfield. Even if Nimmo takes the everyday CF job in that scenario, you are going to want at least one veteran backup.

I have been hearing talk of them wanting to trade Lagares. I think that would be a big mistake on account of what I just referenced.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Traded in less than 2 weeks.

WRITE IT DOWN!!!!!!

[Edgy MD]

They better be bringing in a new big league outfielder around the same time. I'm not seeing any roster ready minor leaguers. I can grit my teeth and live with Ty Kelly as the fifth outfielder. Not as the fourth.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I don't want Zimmo as the 4th OF or the 5th tho. I'm tellin ya, still hot for that Joe Panik trade

[batmagadanleadoff]

Nimmo Rising = Lagares Superfluous

[Guest d'Kong76]

Traded on Tuesday, 03/27.

[smg58]

We are thin on right-handed outfielders. I don't see Lagares going anywhere. I think he will provide superlative defense and a .700 OPS, which will be good enough for regular playing time against lefties. Whether he gets more than that will depend on injuries.

[batmagadanleadoff]

.468 OPS this Spring, for whatever you think that's worth. On hitting alone, he doesn't even deserve to be in the major leagues. But he's good enough for the NL franchise from New York City.