10-Year Mets & Angels Veteran Signs In Korea

After a strong start to his career a decade ago, 10-year veteran outfielder Juan Lagares has seen his major league days grind to a halt over the past few seasons. He's now decided to take his talents to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

Los SSG Landers del béisbol coreano #KBO firmaron al OF Juan Lagares por $495,000 pic.twitter.com/SySEwqFVAt

— Antonio Puesán (@antoniopuesan) July 8, 2022

Lagares has signed with the SSG Landers for $495,000 for the rest of the season. 

The 33-year-old Dominican Republic native was a Gold Glover in center field for the New York Mets back in 2014, the organization he spent his first eight years in the majors with. 

His offense (and defense) has tailed off, however, in recent years. With the Los Angeles Angels the past two seasons, he hit just .236 with a .638 OPS last year, and then after signing a minor league deal with the Halos for 2022, only got into 20 games, batting .183. 

The Angels designated him for assignment last month, and he cleared waivers, and likely didn't get any solid offers from a major league team, thus securing his new gig in the KBO. 

 Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports