We’ve heard mostly crickets on the market for veteran outfielder Angel Pagan, who turned in a strong bounceback year in 2016 (.277/.331/.418 with 12 home runs and 15 stolen bases) but remains unsigned with camp well underway. MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently looked at the possible landing spots for the 35-year-old Pagan, who has been linked at least loosely to teams such as the Nationals, Blue Jays, and (quite a ways back) Orioles.
Here’s the latest on his situation:
- On hand to face his old Giants club as a member of team Puerto Rico, Pagan spoke with reporters including MLB.com’s Chris Haft (links to Twitter). He says that he has only been offered minor-league deals, which obviously haven’t held appeal. “I just don’t feel I need to be fighting for a job,” he said. “If a team wants me to help a team win, they know I can help them win.” Pagan added that he’s healthy and certainly suggested he’s still hoping to find a place to play in 2017. “They’ll see it in the [World] Baseball Classic,” he said.
Earlier Updates
- The Braves have made Pagan an offer, per Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter), but it was of the minor-league variety. Understandably, Pagan is looking for a MLB roster spot, according to the report. While that’s not surprising, given his solid work last year and long history as a semi-regular player, it remains to be seen whether such an opportunity will arise.
- For the time being, at least, Pagan seems willing to wait and see whether he does find a 40-man spot. His agent Greg Genske tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links) that Pagan is currently focused on preparing to play in the World Baseball Classic with Puerto Rico. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how he performs, and whether or not that may have some impact on the interest level around the league.
- That said, Genske notes that Pagan “has received several offers from clubs during the off-season and since start of spring training.” To date, the agent adds, he “has not yet found the right fit.” Whether that’s his way of saying that MLB offers haven’t been forthcoming, or whether Pagan is heavily weighing other factors (money, role, location, etc.), isn’t immediately clear. All told, though, it seems reasonable to expect that some organization will find enough of a need — whether due to injury or reevaluation of internal options — to offer Pagan at least a reserve/platoon job with some amount of guaranteed money.
At first when I got the notification that the Braves made an offer I was a little confused. But now that I see it was a minor league offer I can understand the Braves just throwing it out there to see if he would bite. Pagan can still be a starter somewhere, but the Braves are set in the OF. He would be an amazing 4th OF for them, but I doubt he wants that
No idea why Oakland hasn’t gotten him yet, he’s an upgrade over Smolinski by a mile and they are as thin as can be for OFers.
$$$$
I called this at the start. He is an older, injury prone player with low OBP and slugging. His fielding was awful last year.
Screenshot of you calling this or it’s not true.
Jeff might be able to vouch for me. He wrote the article a few months back and even reply to my comment. He agreed that he should not be ranked the 12th best FA but still thought one team out there would bid high for his services. He said he would lower him in the ranking later in the FA period but those ranking came out before the offseason. It won’t let me scroll back that far to look.
Braves don’t need him at all. I really don’t think he’s the biggest improvement on the bench, and i don’t see us being able to flip him later for another worthy. It’s a waste of money honestly.
Even on a minor league deal? I think he is better than Kelly Johnson or someone else they would pursue instead. If it was a major league deal, I would totally agree with you though
But the Mets don’t want to trade for Angel Pagan…
You’re right. Mets don’t wnt Angel! hahaha! na I truly don’t think we should get Johnson either. Just stick with what we got. I think we will be ok. No need to spend money on a team that isn’t gonna don’t a ton this year anyways. Save the dime and put a young guy (top prospect or not) out there that can perform just as well if not better.
There are health/performance risks associated w/ him playing in the WBC. As a FA, he wasn’t able to participate in a MLB offseason workout plan or spring training plan w/ orginazational oversight. Those minor league offers will probably still be on the table unless an injury is major. We will see how it goes.
There really is no need to guarantee him a spot, I’m sure any of the 30 teams would like him to come off the bench but at the lowest price possible. He is an aging player that will latch on eventually. Someone like Texas or Oakland make the most sense on a small deal.
White Sox should sign him
Pagans fielding not good last year with 0 errors and 1.0000 fielding percentage I’ll say that’s not to bad
That doesn’t show how good of a defender you are. What year is this, 2000?
For an outfielder, it’s the balls you don’t get to that matter.
As a Giants fan you should know he ran awful routes last year. The announcers would talk about he would flat out miss balls he should have caught. He feel off the cliff fast, that is why it is hard to see it in the stats.
all I’m saying is pagan is a killer season hitter when healthy. But not so good in the post season and to mention he only played about a handful of games at his position since span took his job but money and health 100% not worth. But I totally agree he was all over the place last season numbers kinda fooled me.
Although your stat shows something of value, if a fat lard is in the outfield and he can’t run down a ball 10 feet to his left, that’s not considered an error. But as a rational baseball mind, you wouldn’t keep putting the fat lard in the outfield for the obvious reasons. Same goes for throwing. I can throw a ball right on the money from right field at 50 mph, but that isn’t gonna throw anyone out. My throw was perfect in the sense that I didn’t make an error, but I also didn’t help our team out by having a poor arm.
Fat guys reading this are offended by your words. Why couldn’t you make fun of slow guys instead? OK I was just kidding your post makes a ton of sense. Some people don’t understand it though.
Lol his arm has to be one of the weakest lol you said it all just right
I see Texas adding him later this spring.
I’m convinced jeff todd is the worst “writer” for MLBTradeRumors.
Whenever I see an error in an article,I just know he’s responsible.
He’s lazy and I can’t wait until he’s finally cut.
MLBTRADERUMORS,PLEASE TRIM THE FAT!!!!!
U mad bro?
How about taking an English 101 class?
I find you as the worst commenter on the site and we took a poll and decided you should leave.
Go take a shower!
Because they don’t write glory stories regarding a player you might particularly like? Nonsense.
jeff, Steve and of course Tim are the 3 finest writers now employed here and I hope jeff doesn’t take any of the BS written in this topic to heart. He’s an excellent sports blogger/writer.
Are you Angel Pagan because you seem mad? I thought all the writers on here made errors at about equal rates. Most just reply in the comments with the correct info with little or no butt hurt.
You’re wrong!
My extreme frustration has nothing to do with him.
Tigers should sign him on a 1yr/$2MM deal and call it a day.