According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the New York Mets plan to tender Angel Pagan, 30, a contract for the upcoming season:
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York confirmed the report, stating:
The Mets are clearly down on Angel Pagan. But the organization plans to tender the arbitration-eligible outfielder a contract rather than cut him loose at the Dec. 12 deadline, SI.com reported.
Pagan earned $3.5 million this past season, so his salary could be $4.5 million or more in 2012 assuming he returns.
I like this move, as I stated earlier today. However, as Rubin goes on to state:
That means the Mets likely will shop him before the non-tender deadline. And, while the report stated the Mets plan to tender Pagan a contract otherwise, that conceivably could be posturing so that the Mets don’t lose all leverage in pursuing a trade.
So, while Pagan may not be the long term solution for the Mets in center field, he is — in my opinion — the best option for the club in 2012; unless they can find a clear cut upgrade via trade. The way I see it, I would rather take a shot on Pagan regaining his 2010 form than signing any of the available free-agent center fielders. And, if he does not regain that form, the search for a center fielder can then begin with a free agent class that could include Michael Bourn, Matt Kemp, B.J. Upton and dare I say it, Shane Victorino.
*NOTE-
The New York Mets have until December 12th to tender Pagan a contract, or the center fielder will become a free agent.
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