Read: Who is Angel Pagan
In a post to Mets Today, Joe Janish looks in to Angel Pagan, and aims to answer, “Flashy leadoff man or flash in the pan?”
In mid-October, on WFAN, Jerry Manuel described Pagan as a ‘good complimentary player,’ who can be a starting player, only if the team acquires a big-time hitter at another position.
In a poll to MetsBlog in October, 54 percent of more than 5,000 people agreed with Manuel, saying Pagan can start everyday, so long as the team acquires another big-time bat for the lineup.
He will be eligible for salary arbitration each of the next three seasons, after which he can become a free agent.
He was drafted by the Mets in 1999.
…to me, he’s a fourth outfielder, who, on the Mets, could get close to 400 at bats, starting in roughly 60 games or so and coming off the bench mid-game… there are flashes of Carlos Beltran, and i think, ‘Wow, this guy should play everyday,’ but then he gets hurt, or makes a mistake on the bases, or gets in to one of those swing-and-miss funks, and i realize he should play from the bench… and, i just think, at 28 years old, that’s who he is at this point in his career…
Pagan hit .303 in 152 at bats last season when leading off the inning, while batting .321 with runners in scoring position.
Yesterday, Adam Rubin of the Daily News said the Royals are impressed with Pagan, and would be willing to send money and OF Jose Guillen to the Mets in an effort to acquire him.
