Mets bring up Lagares, demote Nieuwenhuis

The Mets have announced that they have called up outfielder Juan Lagares from Triple-A. Kirk Nieuwenhuis has been demoted to create roster space for Lagares. Lagares, 24, was hitting .346 in 78 at-bats with Las Vegas this season, and is known for his solid defense.

"There are people in the organization who think he may be a better center fielder than Matt den Dekker," Terry Collins told reporters on Wednesday.

Collins did say that Lagares will be in the starting lineup on Wednesday. but the outfield situation remains a competition. Lagares will wear No. 12, which was previously worn by Scott Hairston.

Optioning Nieuwenhuis to Triple-A was a move that we expected to come. Nieuwenhuis will be better off getting every-day at bats in Triple-A. Pitchers have discovered his weaknesses, and despite his solid defense, his strikeout rate will need to come down.

I am excited to see what we have with Lagares. We have heard his name for a while now, and he started the season strong down in Triple-A. He is known for his glove, but his speed would be a nice welcome addition to the team. He has every opportunity to make a name for himself right now as there is little outfield competition.

Mets sign DJ Mitchell

The Mets have signed pitcher DJ Mitchell to a minor league deal. Mitchell was involved in the Ichiro Suzuki trade last year, and posted a 3.86 ERA with the Yankees before going to Seattle. He has a combined 3.86 ERA in 50 career Triple-A starts. The Mariners designated him for assignment recently and he elected free agency after clearing waivers on April 13.

Mitchell will basically serve as a Triple-A filler for now, but I expect to see him in the rotation soon if he has success in the minor leagues. The pitching depth is so thin right now, and the team needs a stop-gap like options in the rotation.

Keep in mind that Mitchell is still 25 years old, and was once a decently regarded prospect in the Yankees organization. The Mets could catch lightning in a bottle with him, but like mentioned before he will probably just be a rotation filler.

Jays claim Laffey off of waivers, Mets promote Carson

The Blue Jays have announced that they have claimed pitcher Aaron Laffey off of waivers today. Laffey was designated for assignment by the Mets on Sunday in order to create roster space for fellow left handed pitcher Robert Carson. Laffey was with Toronto in 2012, throwing 100 2/3 innings as a spot starter. Over the winter he joined the Mets on a minor league deal. Carson posted a 1.17 ERA in 7 2/3 Triple-A innings this season.

We all knew that Laffey's time was running out with this team. He had a very poor start in Colorado which some of us blamed on the weather. However, after a second bad start in better conditions, the Mets knew that it was time to let him go. 

The Blue Jays seem like they are claiming every player out there, and Laffey should provide rotation depth for them. However, it is definitely the right move for the Mets to keep him out of their rotation. Carson is not a starter, rather a promising relief pitcher who could be a decent left handed specialist at some time.