Spring Training is underway, and though all of the names on MLBTR’s Top 50 ranking from this past November have come off the board, a handful of useful free agents still remain in search of new homes. Angel Pagan quite arguably tops that list. The 35-year-old has averaged 547 plate appearances and 131 games per season across the past two years after missing much of the 2013-14 campaigns due to injury, and the 2016 season was a productive one for the switch-hitter. Pagan batted .277/.331/.418 with a career-high 12 homers to go along with 15 stolen bases and defense in left that ranged from passable (-4 Defensive Runs Saved) to slightly above average (+4.4 Ultimate Zone Rating).
Though he’s played in about 130 games in each of the past two seasons, Pagan has nonetheless required time on the disabled list in each of those campaigns — most recently spending a few weeks on the shelf with a hamstring injury. His days of playing center field on a regular basis could possibly be behind him as well; the Giants shifted Pagan to left field last year after signing Denard Span to a three-year deal. With Pagan set to turn 36 this season and poor defensive metrics from his last regular work in center field (2015 — though he was hampered by knee troubles that season), some clubs may be wary of his glove in center.
Pagan has drawn interest from the Nationals, per FOX’s Ken Rosenthal, who also reported that the Blue Jays and Royals had interest before adding Jose Bautista and Brandon Moss, respectively. Pagan will hardly break the bank at the stage of the offseason — Rosenthal suggested that the Nats are hoping to land him on a minor league deal — but the longtime Giants and Mets outfielder still seems perfectly capable of helping a big league team. His bat checked in at roughly league average last year, per park-adjusted metrics like OPS+ and wRC+, and depending on one’s preferred defensive metric/WAR version, Pagan was worth one to two wins.
Let’s run down a few speculative landing spots for Pagan that make some sense on paper…
- Athletics [Current depth chart]: Oakland’s outfield mix right now looks to include Khris Davis as the primary left fielder, Rajai Davis in center field and Matt Joyce in right (where he’ll platoon with Jake Smolinski). Mark Canha and/or Adam Rosales could see some occasional time in the outfield corners as well, but there’s enough uncertainty here that Pagan could serve as an upgrade.
- Braves [Current depth chart]: Atlanta still doesn’t have much of an option in center in the event of an Ender Inciarte injury or day off. Matt Kemp is no longer an option there, and Jace Peterson has all of eight innings in the Majors at the position. The Braves have claimed corner options like Adam Walker and Christian Walker this winter, but Pagan profiles as more of a traditional fourth outfielder than either of those younger options.
- Blue Jays [Current depth chart]: Even after re-signing Bautista, it’s not hard to see how Pagan could fit into the Jays’ outfield mix. Toronto is currently set to rely on a platoon of Ezequiel Carrera and Melvin Upton Jr./Steve Pearce in left field. Pagan could compete for at-bats in left and could also help to spell Bautista in right (either late in games as a defensive replacement or in the starting lineup on days when Bautista serves as a DH). Speculating further, he could even push Bautista to first base with some degree of regularity (though the team does have both Justin Smoak and Pearce as options there).
- Giants [Current depth chart]: San Francisco seems set on seeing what it has on its hands with a pair of unproven outfielders: Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson. Parker, though, has demonstrated significant strikeout issues and needed a .360 average on balls in play to produce a fairly modest .267 average in the Majors. Williamson is the younger of the pair and has come with his own strikeout issues. Left field still looks like the Giants’ biggest hole, on paper, but they seem to prefer to move on to younger options.
- Nationals [Current depth chart]: Jayson Werth, Adam Eaton and Bryce Harper are set to be the primary outfielders in D.C., but Werth has had his own injury issues in recent years. Michael Taylor, Chris Heisey and perhaps an occasional appearance from Adam Lind appear to be the Nationals’ primary reserve options, but Taylor’s yet to make enough contact in the Majors to tap into his considerable upside. GM Mike Rizzo has been highly active late in the winter, adding both Matt Wieters and Joe Blanton in the past week.
- Orioles [Current depth chart]: The O’s were linked to Pagan back in December, though they’ve since added Michael Bourn and Craig Gentry on minor league deals. Bourn, though, will miss the next four weeks due to a broken finger, so perhaps the Orioles will again turn to Pagan as a possible depth piece. GM Dan Duquette reportedly would like an outfielder that can provide some speed and corner defense, and Pagan can fit that bill. Baltimore does have a pair of Rule 5 outfielders in camp in Aneury Tavarez and Anthony Santander, though, so the team may also feel the outfield scene is crowded enough.
- Pirates [Current depth chart]: No one is supplanting any of Gregory Polanco, Starling Marte or Andrew McCutchen for a regular role in the Pittsburgh outfield, but the primary backup outfielders appear to be Adam Frazier (who was more of an infielder in the minors) and John Jaso, who is definitively limited to the corners.
- Twins [Current depth chart]: Minnesota looks to be going young across the board in the outfield, with Eddie Rosario in left, Byron Buxton in center and Max Kepler in right. Switch-hitter Robbie Grossman is on hand and could serve as a right-handed complement to Rosario or Kepler, and Drew Stubbs is in camp with Minnesota trying to win a job. Out-of-options Danny Santana, a former shortstop, has seen his share of outfield action as well. There are plenty of options for the Twins, but if it’s determined that one of the starters needs to return to Triple-A, or if an option like Stubbs or Santana falters, there’s room for an addition.
- Tigers [Current depth chart]: Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez are set for everyday work in the corners, but the Tigers are going piecemeal in center field. Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins look primed to form a platoon, with Anthony Gose and young JaCoby Jones also on hand as options. It’s up for debate whether Pagan’s glove will play in center field anymore, but given the uncertainty in Detroit, it’s easy to see where he could slot into the mix.
- White Sox [Current depth chart]: Melky Cabrera, Charlie Tilson and Avisail Garcia look to be the starting trio for the ChiSox in the outfield, with veteran Peter Bourjos in camp on a non-roster invite. Waiver claim Rymer Liriano, too, could enter the mix — perhaps as a platoon partner for Tilson. Pagan could push Garcia or Cabrera to designated hitter, in theory, or he could slot in elsewhere if the Sox decide that Tilson needs more seasoning.
I’ll open this one up for everyone to weigh in (link to the poll for Trade Rumors mobile app users)…
todda1
I’m skeptical, but I would love for the Tigers to sign him.
TucsonRon
I think the Tigers should get him use him wisely and somewhat solve center.
McGlynnandjuice
I can confidently say after watching him play center two years ago that he can no longer play center (the metrics agree too!)
Tigers2384
If he would accept a minor league deal in Detroit, maybe, but their first priority should be going with younger options. Keep in mind the Tigers also have Alex Presley on a minors deal, who could play some CF if needed. Also, UT Romine and Machado could see time there as a way of getting into the lineup.
ThePriceWasRight
pagan not going to toronto. they are fine with the platoon and want Pierce to get at least 450 ab
lowtalker1
Time to hang them up go or on top
Blocking young guys
Or go to Asia
Deke
It’s weird that Pagan isn’t signed. I get that teams worry about his injury history but they just need to factor in he’s going to play 120 games for you and have the appropriate depth, maybe reduce his expected workload.
I know MLBTR has said that maybe he could have an injury that none of us know about but apart from that I can’t see why. He seems to be a good clubhouse guy, loved by the fans. Really wish SF would sign him as an extra outfielder but they seem really hung up on getting someone with power which I’m not sure:
A) They can find at this stage and
B) Makes sense given that anyone left on the market now is probably going to hit fly ball outs in SF rather than home runs
Steve Adams
Just want to be clear — I said in the chat that I wonder about him having an injury we don’t know about or something, but that is 100% speculative from me. It’s a comment borne completely out of the fact that I find it so surprising he hasn’t been signed and may have to settle for a minor league deal.
Pagan isn’t a star, by any means, but when I look at what the Blue Jays and Giants have lined up in left field and see the number of teams that could use him as a fourth outfielder, I can’t fathom how at least one team doesn’t throw $2-3MM and a 40-man roster spot at him.
Just want to be extra clear that I’ve not spoken to anyone who has suggested that there’s anything wrong with him.
ThePriceWasRight
Steve if the Jays get him which I doubt do they release or trade Carrera or release smoak and admit mistake.
bigdaddyt
Why would they release either player
ThePriceWasRight
why would you keep 6 of on your major league roster? Bautista Pillar upton pearce pagan and carrera all don’t need to be on the team along with smoak.
Deke
@Steve sorry my post was poorly worded, didn’t mean to misrepresent what you said and I certainly understand that you meant that a *possible* plausible explanation could be that he has an injury that we haven’t been told about.
jimmertee
I say that Pagan ends up back in San Fran. If he were going to the Jays, it would have been done already, Jays are rarely patient once they have made their minds up.
gmenfan
If Pagan is going to sign for pennies, I don’t get why the Giants aren’t picking him up. If they’re so confident with Parker and Williamson, why are they trying out every able bodied reserve on the roster in left during spring training ? Giving Gordon Beckham a try in left ? Just sign Pagan and be done with it.
jmgara
Re: Beckham: They’re looking for the Super Sub — an INF/OF with pop. Pagan doesn’t fit that.
Re: Morse, Blanks, Marrero, et al.: They’re looking for bench pop.
I think they’d sign him if someone gets injured especially Gorky Hernandez, the only backup CF.
jmgara
I think they’d ONLY sign him if someone like Gorkys gets injured.
Deke
I agree. I’m not that excited about Parker/Williamson at all. I know SF have said they are hoping to get another 20 HR’s out of the team this year which could be why they are not all that excited about a Pagan reunion but I just don’t see anyone left on the market (or Parker/Williamson) contributing that many HR’s when half their games are at AT&T.
I think they would be better off getting a Pagan (even as a 4th OFer) and stop having players trying to jack the ball out of a park where they just end up as fly balls. The other benefit of Pagan is that he can still play a little CF once in awhile to spell Span.
bleacherbum
Detroit makes the most sense
stymeedone
Detroit has said it is looking to improve the OF defense, and playing Pagan in CF doesn’t do that. I believe they will stay in house, unless they can acquire that elite defender.
jfodes
Pagan is not going to any of these teams.
pullhitter445
White sox make sense for a 1 year deal. Tilson seems to be made of glass. I’m fine with the white sox staying with what they have in order to loose as many games as possible this year. Sox need to be in the top 3 draft position for the next couple of years.
clrrogers 2
I can see Pagan to the the Blue Jays as a possibility, but I agree with those who say it won’t happen. The Jays have already said they want Pearce in LF and Smoak at 1B, so Pagan would have to settle for a 4th OF spot. The problem there is that the 4th OF has to be capable of playing a decent CF. Pagan’s metrics in LF were average last year, and that would not translate too well to CF. If he could somehow be signed to a minor league deal and be stashed in AAA in case of injury or other need, that would be awesome, but I don’t see it happening.
edagger03
So he could potentially land with 1/3 of the league. Thanks for narrowing it down!
stymeedone
Articles like these are not to inform so much as to create discussion. Pagan, as a 4th OF, potentially has many fits. It did get you to comment, though we all wish you had contributed more to the discussion. I, personally, think he hasn’t signed because he considers himself a starter. Much fewer teams have openings for a starter. Those with openings are looking in house first.
NL_East_Rivalry
I agree with you. Most teams also like their in house options. I can imagine a few teams like the Braves looking for back ups calling and him hanging up. If he is going to be a back up it’s for a competing team
thebare
Nope his best shot and a former World champ who gives a 100% Seattl could use him as a extra OF ‘er
jimmertee
I assume that Pagan is keeping himself in shape. Inevitably, there will be injuries and holes to fill on rosters and Pagan will probably be one of the first that clubs look at in an injury situation. He’ll obviously land somewhere eventually and will likely play until he shows he cannot play anymore.
ExileInLA 2
His name is too great to be lost from MLB!
brat922
Pagan is not injured and had a good 2016. He is a switch-hitting lead off guy who can run the bases and play the OF. He will get a job. He is a fiery and passionate player who gives his all. Best of luck to him! #forevergiant
jimmertee
Pagan should be a SFgiant this year….
metsmosloyal23
I’d like Mets reunion, he would be a bench player which he isn’t probably looking for but would love having this guy to play 2x a week