In the corner of Juan Lagares’s locker hangs a pair of gold-colored boxing gloves. The Mets presented them to Lagares during a team meeting in spring training, a gesture after he won the Gold Glove award last year.
A month into the season, the gloves seem a fitting gift. Not only has Lagares reinforced the idea that he is the best defensive center fielder in baseball, he is rounding out his game, maturing at the plate. He leads the Mets in spectacular defensive plays and in hits. He exudes the swagger of a champion, and is becoming the best everyday player on the team.