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          New York Mets

          Lucas Duda, Mets shelve long-term contract talks

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterApr 5, 2015, 02:41 PM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          WASHINGTON -- The New York Mets and Lucas Duda's representatives have shelved talks about a multiyear contract, allowing the first baseman to concentrate on the upcoming season without the negotiations as a distraction.

          The sides previously had agreed they would end discussions if no deal was reached by Opening Day.

          "No agreement was reached, so talks have concluded and Lucas will focus on the upcoming season," agent Dan Horwits told ESPN.com.

          Duda already had agreed to a $4.2 million contract for 2015, avoiding arbitration. He remains under the Mets' control through the 2017 season.

          Duda hit .253 with 30 homers and 92 RBIs in 514 at-bats last season. His long ball total ranked third in the National League. He became only the fourth first baseman in franchise history to reach the 30-homer plateau, joining Carlos Delgado, Dave Kingman and Ike Davis.

          The Mets chose Duda over Davis as their first baseman of the future last April, when they dealt Davis to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

          The Mets did come to terms last week with Juan Lagares on a contract extension that covers all of the Gold Glove center fielder's arbitration years. Lagares will earn $23.5 million from 2016 through 2019, with a team option at $9.5 million for 2020. The option year otherwise would have been Lagares' first season of free-agency eligibility.