Mets May Have an Angel in Pagan

The Mets made the biggest off-season splash this winter by trading for Johan Santana at the end of January. With that move they became the favorites in the National League and filled their biggest need of the off-season, which was an ace for the top of their rotation.

However, Omar Minaya was up to his old tricks, making moves under the radar that could pay off as the year continues. He has a history of steals and finding gems around the league, and this year that acquisition could be Angel Pagan. Not only does Pagan fill the Mets’ need for outfield depth, but he also came at a cheap price. Minaya gave up two minor leaguers for Pagan, who could find a lot of playing time this year in New York.

The Mets have a very old team and it’s a team that can be injury-prone. They have already seen that so far in spring training as the Mets watched six of their eight projected starters along with some key reserves get injured. Included in those injuries are the three starting outfielders, Carlos Beltran, Moises Alou, and Ryan Church, and their primary backup in Chavez.

While Beltran and Church are both projected to be starting on Opening Day, Alou is out after having hernia surgery March 6 and is believed to be sidelined four to six weeks. That means Endy Chavez will most likely be the primary starter in his absence.

That brings us to Pagan, who will likely become the fourth outfielder and share time with Chavez. In case you haven’t been following spring training, Pagan has been the most impressive hitter the Mets have seen. After Monday’s game against the Red Sox, Pagan is hitting .421 and his hustle impressed Willie Randolph after turning a bloop single into a double Sunday.

“That’s how you make the ballclub – with things like that. You’re batting average is not going to make the team. Those types of plays are going to make the team,” said Randolph. He must have been impressed when Pagan scored the Mets’ lone run on Monday on a ground out to first against a drawn-in infield.

Two years ago, Minaya found a gem when he traded Kris Benson for Jorge Julio, who was later traded to Arizona for Orlando Hernandez, and current starter John Maine. Later that year, Minaya got Oliver Perez as a throw in as a part of the Xavier Nady-for-Roberto Hernandez deal.

He also signed Endy Chavez in December of 2005. Jose Valentin was also an underrated signing, becoming the Mets starting second baseman in the 2006 division-winning season and was the second baseman until he broke his leg last year.

If Pagan is productive, the pressure of producing as a lineup without Alou is lightened, and Alou can make sure he comes back when he is 100% and not sooner. Pagan provides depth at a position where the Mets need it most. He is young, he hustles, and plays well defensively, which are all qualities you look for in a backup.

You can bet that Randolph would love a player like Pagan to be on the roster on Opening Day, and he should feel confident in his outfield depth if Pagan can keep up his play.

Thanks to another crafty move by Minaya, the Mets may already have the answer to their outfield problems already. They just might have to call him their “Angel in the Outfield.”