JUAN MORE TIME

Lagares will be facing stiff competition in Mets’ crowded outfield Kristie Ackert,

Pages 50-51

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. − Juan Lagares does not feel like the odd man out. With the Mets signing free agent outfielders Curtis Granderson and Chris Young this winter, the 24-year-old center fielder knew that he would be in a competition for the third outfield spot with Eric Young Jr. He never felt entitled to the job he had in 2013.

“I never thought that it was my job,” Lagares said. “I don’t think like that. I knew I had to come in here and prove to them again that I could do it. If they want to play me in right, in left or center, I don’t care. I just want a chance to play.”

And Lagares will get that, at least this spring.

Reiterating what general manager Sandy Alderson said this winter, Terry Collins said Tuesday that Lagares was his starting center fielder heading into the first Grapefruit League game. “He’s earned that right,” Collins said. Collins’ early comments at spring training have made it pretty clear that he is leaning toward Young Jr. to complement Chris Young and Granderson. That is because Collins sees Young Jr. as the only natural leadoff candidate in the mix.

But Lagares’ defense last season was enough to keep him very much in the mix.

He set a Mets rookie record for outfield assists with 15 in 2013 and basically locked down opposing teams running games with his ability to cover ground and fire bullets from the outfield.

He also impressed Collins with his professional approach.

“He worked hard; he worked very, very hard,” Collins said Tuesday after workouts at the Mets facility.

“And the job he did, that you saw night in and night out . . . he is a tremendous defender, he has a great arm and shut down the running game,” Collins said, “and teams stopped trying to run unless there was two outs.”

Lagares proved he is the best defensive option in center, hands down, but he needs to prove he can hit major league pitching to win back his spot.

Last season, Lagares hit .242 with a .281 on-base percentage in 121 games. He had four home runs and 34 RBI and struck out 96 times in 392 at-bats. If Granderson and Chris Young are able to carry the weight in the lineup, Collins said there would be less pressure on Lagares to perform at the plate.

“That would certainly make it easier for Juan to be the guy,” Collins admitted.

A career .282 hitter in parts of eight seasons in the minors, Lagares said he worked on his swing and approach at the plate this offseason, when he played winter ball. That stint was cut short when he was sidelined by inflammation in his right knee. He was forced to rest and did not get a chance to play again, so he joined a crew of Mets who worked out in Michigan with trainer Mike Barwis.

“I think that was good for me,” Lagares said of the Michigan workouts. “It helped me.”

The fitness and nutrition training program helped him get stronger and maybe a little quicker, but the Mets and Lagares are eager to see how it will translate at the plate.

“He looks good, he’s tremendous, his body is reshaped,” Collins said. “We hope it translates on the field.”