Terry Collins fires back at critics, starts Juan Lagares again

WASHINGTON -- After spending much of this weekend as a social media punching bag, Mets manager Terry Collins shot back at his critics on Sunday morning, when he started Juan Lagares in centerfield for the second straight day.

“It’s not like I sat him for seven days for cripes sake,” Collins said in his pregame briefing with reporters. “We’re getting a little carried away here.”

Lagares, the defensive wizard who started fast at the plate, had been benched in four of five games. But Collins said the time off was used to refine Lagares’ swing and better position him to succeed in the future.

However, Collins has also drawn some heat for essentially mothballing one of his most productive players in favor of other outfielders who have arguably brought less to the table. The fallout from the decision has taken on a life on its own among the team’s vocal supporters on social media, who believe that Collins is making a grave managerial mistake by taking playing time away from Lagares.

“Somebody gets a day off and it’s like the sky’s falling,” said an animated Collins, who steered clear of making any specific playing time guarantees about Lagares.

Collins is still in the middle of a juggling act, with Curtis Granderson, Eric Young Jr. and Chris Young all vying for time in the outfield alongside Lagares.

Said Collins: “He’s going to play because he brings a lot to the table.”

In his return to the starting lineup on Saturday, Lagares went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in addition to a leaping grab at the centerfield wall to rob Jayson Werth of a sure home run.