8/17/11

Is Angel Pagan Playing Himself Out Of Flushing?

Angel Pagan and several other Mets cleared waivers and just in the nick of time for Mr. Alderson. Pagan is playing his best baseball of the year.

Angel has been heavenly in August
Pagan's August stat line:

.327 average
6 extra base hits
5 stolen bases
.362 OBP
.509 SLG
.871 OPS

This is in 55 at bats. But since the all star break Pagan has been closer to the Angel in the outfield from 2010, then the one that started the 2011 campaign. In this bloggers opinion, some smart baseball executive is going to see opportunity in the numbers above and surrender a prospect. So what teams in contention could use Angel's hot bat and solid D?

  1. Giants
    The Giants are decimated with injuries, including old friend Carlos Beltran. Is Angel an upgrade over Cody Ross in CF? Could Sandy coax another prospect out of the Giants?
  2. Red Sox
    The Red Sox have some opportunity in RF. Josh Reddick has been a pleasant surprise, but seems to have hit a rookie wall with the stick. Pagan adds speed and experience elements that Reddick lacks. With the Red Sox falling out of first, they need several things the Mets have. Capuano would be an upgrade over both John Lackey and Tim Wakefield. Capuano and Angel would help this team topple the evil empire. 
  3. Indians
    The Indians are not dead in the AL central. Michael Brantley is not a playoff caliber OF - yet! His OBP is .327. He has potential, but Angel would be a welcome upgrade to that offense. If the Indians are still hanging around the end of this month, Angel would be a good fit in LF.
If Angel stays hot, look for him to go. But he is cheap, so Alderson could elect to keep him. No doubt though, his recent hot streak could be enticing for teams still in contention. Say nothing about injuries that could pop up over the next few weeks. Stay tuned.....

1 comment:

David Groveman said...

I still can't see Pagan being traded. Mets don't have a "Sure-Fire" replacement and would likely need to pay for a free agent if they were to lose him. Pagan is likely cheaper than any FA replacement.