Rising Apple
FanSided

New York Mets: Assembling the all-time defensive team in club history

By Allen Settle

LOS ANGELES,CA-CIRCA 1986: Keith Hernandez of the New York Mets prepares to field against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium circa 1986 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES,CA-CIRCA 1986: Keith Hernandez of the New York Mets prepares to field against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium circa 1986 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Mets
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets makes a running catch in centerfield against the Atlanta Braves September 6, 2006 during the second game of their doubleheader at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Mets Greatest Defensive Right Fielder – Carlos Beltran

Though he was primarily a centerfielder during his tenure in Queens, Carlos Beltran eventually transitioned into an everyday right-fielder during the latter portion of his stellar career. For the sake of assembling the best possible fielding team, Beltran will be slotted as a historically great option in RF.

The longtime outfielder won all three of his Gold Glove awards during his seven seasons in Queens. He has my vote as the best defensive outfielder the franchise has ever seen.

Honorable Mention: Curtis Granderson

Mets Greatest Defensive Center Fielder – Juan Lagares

This feels like the most controversial member of the All-Defense team. As all Mets fans are aware, Juan Lagares was the subject of much scrutiny during his major league career. His inability to hit consistently cause him to be platooned and ultimately released by the franchise.

How can a player with this profile take the CF spot away from a player of Beltran’s pedigree? Speaking strictly in terms of defense, Lagares was an absolute stud. The 2014 Gold Glove winner accumulated a plethora of highlight catches during his eight seasons with the Mets. During his prime, there was no one better at tracking down fly balls and making catches that seemed impossible.

Again, for the sake of assembling the best lineup, Lagares takes his natural position in center, while the superior Beltran slots over to the corner spot.

Honorable Mention: Angel Pagan

Greatest Mets Defensive Left Fielder – Tommie Agee

Speaking of corner outfielders.

Tommie Agee is the first real blast from the past on this list. The two-time GG winner played for New York from 1968-1972. While he captured both fielding honors just before his tenure with the Mets, he was still a phenomenal defender in NYC. His was so skilled he was named one of the top seven defenders in Mets’ history by ESPN.

Agee, much like Beltran, is a natural centerfielder who is being shifted to a less natural LF position.

Honorable Mention: Bernard Gilkey

Home/New York Mets All-Time Lists