PORT ST. LUCIE — Terry Collins and Yoenis Cespedes met Tuesday to talk about him playing left field, which the Cuban slugger prefers, as well as center field this season.  “Yes, the manager spoke with me this morning and said the best option for the team was to play both positions,” Cespedes said through the Mets’ translator. “I said I have no problems with it.”  When facing lefthanded pitchers they can use Gold Glove center fielder Juan Lagares, a .279 hitter against lefties and just .254 vs. righthanders, in center field and move Cespedes to left field.  “Against lefthanded pitching, probably,” Collins said of Cespedes in left. “I wanted to do that today and let Ces have a day there. I know he can play left field, the guy has a Gold Glove out there, but I just thought today would be a good day to get him out in left field.”  Cespedes won a Gold Glove in left for his first half of the season with the Tigers last year. While he has an absolute cannon of a throwing arm, he has struggled covering all of center field at times. This spring, Cespedes has not looked quick in center and there has been some private grumbling about his defense. Thursday, he was slow to a ball at the warning track and signaled a ground-rule double on a ball that was easily reachable under the padding on the wall. What should have been a double turned into an inside-the-park home run.  The Cuban slugger, who the Mets signed to a three-year, $75 million deal this winter, said that he does not think he has any problems playing center.  “Up until now, no issues at all,” Cespedes said, “but if something comes up, I will make sure to do my job.”  Cespedes, who shrugged off reports of shoulder issues, went 1-for-3 Tuesday.  “One of the days, my arm felt a little heavy, but I have been playing so everything is fine,” Cespedes said.  When asked if that was an issue with his defense, Cespedes shook his head.  “No,” he said, “no impact at all.”
With the Mets planning to ride their pitching this season, they are committing to backing up those pitchers with the best defense they can.