The Mets want Juan Lagares to steal more bases

The Mets want Juan Lagares to steal more bases, according to what Terry Collins told reporters before this evening's game against the Miami Marlins. On SNY's broadcast of the game, Gary Cohen relayed what Collins told him about it: The team is picking spots to give Lagares a "must-steal" sign.

Coming into the game, Lagares has stolen just thirteen bases in the big leagues and has been caught six times in 892 plate appearances. He was never all that much of a base stealer in the minors, either, as he went 100-for-149 in stolen base attempts over the course over nine years. His best year came in 2010, when he stole 25 bases and was caught just five times while splitting his year between Single-A Savannah and High-A St. Lucie.

Whether or not it's wise for a team to make it publicly known that it wants one of its players to steal more bases, it's a little odd that the Mets would try to make Juan Lagares something that it appears he is not. Of course, the Mets are in a prime position to experiment considering the time of year and the standings, but it's hard to imagine they will get enough useful information out of this effort to make meaningful conclusions about the future.