Angel Pagan Drawing Trade Interest
Mets outfielder Angel Pagan is drawing trade interest, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The writers note that Pagan may have more value to other clubs, where he could be used as a starting center fielder. The Royals are one interested party, but the duo's source says the Mets aren't interested in Jose Guillen. Why a guy with positive value like Pagan would be linked to one with major negative value like Guillen in the first place is beyond me.
Pagan, 28, hit .306/.350/.487 in 376 plate appearances last year for the Mets, playing all three outfield positions. Pagan was originally drafted by the Mets in '99, purchased from them by the Cubs in '06, and shipped back to the Mets for a couple of minor leaguers in January of '08. He's arbitration-eligible for the second time this winter.
The Cubs are now looking for a center fielder after giving away Pagan in January of '08 and Felix Pie a year later.
Odds & Ends: Guillen, Overbay, Johnson
A round-up of several items from around the majors…..
- Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News reports that Jose Guillen would be willing to waive his limited no-trade clause in order to be dealt to the Mets. The Royals have reportedly proposed an Angel Pagan-for-Guillen swap that would also see Kansas City include some cash to help the Mets pay for Guillen's $12MM salary next season. Guillen hit .242/.314/.367 in 312 plate appearances for K.C. during his injury-plagued 2009 season, and it's probably for those reasons that Rubin thinks the trade is a long-shot to actually happen.
- The Globe and Mail's Jeff Blair (via Twitter) was told by a non-Toronto executive that there is a 90 percent chance that the Blue Jays will trade Lyle Overbay at the winter meetings.
- While talking about Josh Johnson's contract situation, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria told The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer that the club has no set policy against giving pitchers contracts longer than three years.
- Former outfielder Doug Glanville wrote an interesting blog entry for the New York Times website about the issues a player can face when entering free agency for the first time, especially if they're thinking of leaving their long-time home.
- The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles signed southpaw reliever Mike Hinckley to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Hinckley threw 13.2 scoreless innings in 14 relief appearances for Washington in 2008, but his perfect streak was snapped last year when he posted a 4.66 ERA in 14 appearances with the Nationals. He spent most of last season pitching for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate.
- This could be an item for the 'Saying All The Right Things' file, but MLB.com's Matthew Leach reported that at the press conference for Albert Pujols' MVP Award, the Cardinals superstar said he wanted to play in St. Louis, "hopefully for 15 more years if I can play for that long and can retire as a Cardinal."
Eight More Avoid Arbitration
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has seven more players who avoided arbitration today: Jeremy Accardo ($900K), Heath Bell ($1.225MM), Ryan Church ($2.8MM), Gerald Laird ($2.8MM), Javier Lopez ($1.35MM), Bobby Seay ($1.3MM), and Joel Zumaya ($735K). I think next year we’ll put all of these in one constantly-updated post.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says Angel Pagan signed for $575K.
Odds & Ends: Bonds, Church, Myers, Teixeira
Some odds and some ends:
- Ozzie Guillen says "Barry [Bonds] can’t play for my team," according to Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun Times.
- The New York Daily News’ Adam Rubin is reporting Ryan Church‘s diagnosis was positive and his ability to return may "lessen the pressure" on the Mets to find a replacement. They will also get Angel Pagan back next week and management’s "not averse" to promoting 19-year old prospect Fernando Martinez in the second half.
- Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Brett Myers feels he’s ready to return.
- The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s David O’Brien notes the Braves are mum on whether they’re buyers or sellers. If they can prove they’re in it then they will seek a right handed hitter. If they can’t, then they will entertain offers for upcoming free agents Mark Teixeira and Will Ohman.
Bogus Crisp To Mets Rumor
2:34pm: Theo Epstein says he hasn’t been talking to the Mets. Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe labels this rumor a fabrication.
2:10pm: Newsday’s David Lennon confirms the Mets haven’t traded for Crisp, implying that they wouldn’t be interested.
1:13pm: WFAN’s Ed Coleman reports rumblings of a possible Coco Crisp to the Mets deal, which would involve Angel Pagan. It’s not confirmed or official, but it’s out there. When I get more I’ll update the post.
Crisp’s contract: $4.75MM in ’08, $5.75MM in ’09, and an $8MM club option for ’10 with a $0.5MM buyout. Crisp has posted an OPS around .700 for Boston while playing stellar center field defense. I imagine he’d spend time at all three outfield positions for the Mets if acquired.
Pagan, 26, started in the Mets’ organization. The outfielder plays all three positions and has a career line of .255/.306/.415. In January of ’06, the Cubs purchased his contract from the Mets. He made the Cubs’ Opening Day roster, but a torn hamstring knocked him out until July. The following year he got the call in May to replace Felix Pie. Then he had an unfortunate bout with colitis. In January of this year, the Mets reacquired Pagan from the Cubs for Corey Coles and Ryan Meyers.