Praying to a Pagan god

[Frayed Knot]

Angel Pagan is only arb-eligible this coming off-season (3+ years of service) and, I think, is playing his way either into a starting OF job next season here or into a semi-valuable trading chip.

That he's already 28 and has only played in parts of four seasons (less than one full season's worth) makes it tough to brand/sell him as young up-and-comer, but he's got 50-some games ahead of him to show what he can do over an extended period going into what should be his prime years.
I bet his recent play is opening some eyes, both on his own club and on the clubs spying on his.

[TransMonk]

I was thinking the same thing today.

All things being considered (Beltran and Francouer), I would have no problem with him in left next season if FMart is injured or not ready.

[nymr83]

Angel Pagan is only arb-eligible this coming off-season (3+ years of service) and, I think, is playing his way either into a starting OF job next season here or into a semi-valuable trading chip.

I don't think he's starting material, but he's definitely a good 4th outfielder to have.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

If he's anywhere near this level through the end of his arb-eligibility, I'd snap him up each year; I'd just rather have him serve as one of the league's better 4ths than as a marginal starter (which, I fear, is the way he profiles).

Keep in mind that as well as he's hitting right now, much of his value-- like Beltran's-- is that he's doing this as a decent defensive centerfielder. Even this level of offensive performance-- one that qualifies as a relative peak for him-- profiles as pretty average at a starting corner-outfield position.

[Frayed Knot]

He may just be a late bloomer who's getting a chance now to show what he can be. That's why the next 200+ ABs he's likely to get this season will help define his role for next year.
HIs overall career isn't anything special: .268/.322/.420 in what amounts to about one full season split up over pieces of four.
But the more recent half of that is more like .295/.345/.450, not terrible for a guy who switch-hits, runs & fields and (hopefully) has two other OFers who have some more pop.

Or he'd be a great 4th OF for us if some corner guy shows up under the Xmas tree this year,
or might look real good to someone desperate for a CF (in exchange for a catcher?, for a 1B?),
or maybe Beltran's days in CF are over and he takes over while Carlos mans a corner spot

No decisions need to be made now, but he's busting his way into the conversation and out of the interchangeable spare parts file.

[smg58]

I'd love him as a fourth outfielder, unless somebody else thinks he's worth more than that.

We do need to bring in at least one corner guy. I'm not yet convinced that Francoeur is worth tendering a contract to, and we still don't know what we have in F-Mart.

[Fman99]

I'd love him as a fourth outfielder, unless somebody else thinks he's worth more than that.

We do need to bring in at least one corner guy. I'm not yet convinced that Francoeur is worth tendering a contract to, and we still don't know what we have in F-Mart.[/quote:1m7kbmas]

I'd be fine with an OF fivesome of Beltran (assuming health of course), Frenchy, and Pagan/Martinez/Sheffield for 2010.

[Guest Edgy DC]

That's the thing about Pagan. Nothing about him prevents that. He's playing like a vet, but nothing about his situation requires the Mets commit money or a position to him.

Which doesn't mean they won't, seeing as they over-committed to Murphy this year.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'd be impressed only to see him stay healthy the rest of the year.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'd be impressed only to see him stay healthy the rest of the year.[/quote:13pqlsi0]

Impressive, yes... but staying healthy would also likely mean that he was a witch.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Burn him anyway.

[Valadius]

Throw him in the river in chains and see if he floats.

[RealityChuck]

Be scientific: see if he weighs the same as a duck.

[Vic Sage]

nah, build a bridge out of him!

[Guest attgig]

if he goes to the angels, he'll have both his first and last name on his jersey.

sorry. i was just thinking about that.

[TransMonk]

[Guest Edgy DC]

Doghouse or no, he has a handsome cut:

[Guest themetfairy]

Angel threw a ball to D-Dad before last night's game. G-Fafif immortalized the moment last night in Faith and Fear in Flushing.

Angel stays if I have anything to say about it.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Pagan has been better than I ever expected him to be. However, i view him as a good bench player for 2010. He could be great as a fourth outfielder and he serves as an insurance policy for center field should Beltran's knees balk once again.

[bmfc1]

When The Met Fairy's husband yelled to Pagan for a ball, I'm surprised that he threw it to the right person.

[smg58]

I certainly wouldn't mind bringing Pagan back as a fourth outfielder, but other teams could be looking at him as a starting centerfielder. The Blue Jays, for example, are going to need to move Vernon Wells to a corner, and with Rios gone they don't have an in-house option to replace him in center.