Sunday, January 6, 2008

Picking Up Pagan

The Mets have acquired, or actually reacquired Angel Pagan, an outfielder from the Cubs. I would love to tell you I thought this move was to free up Carlos Gomez so we could trade him for a pitcher. I don’t see that as the case.

Yes, Pagan is a backup outfielder. He is good defensively and he won’t embarrass you offensively. Still, if Minaya could have traded Gomez before he brought in Pagan, for a pitcher, that deal would have been made. So, while Pagan could fill a void created by trading Gomez, I don’t think it makes Minaya more likely to make a deal.

So, the question is, will the deal help the Mets. I certainly hope so. It is not a blockbuster move or a household name but I am hoping it can be a little like the Endy Chavez move. No one knew the name but he come to New York and truly blossomed and was a great pickup for the Mets.

The Mets gave away relatively little for Pagan, a couple of young minor leaguers, not the big names people have talked about. Pagan can be sent to the minor leagues, so it is not as though the Mets are out of options or need to keep him in the bigs for the year.

Hopefully Minaya will be able to get the pitcher we all know the Mets need. Hopefully Pagan will be a good pickup for the Mets and make them a better team. If the move does that, I will be happy.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, another spare part. You can build a nice car out of spare parts but you still need the engine.

I have absolutely no enthusiasm coming into spring training when catchers report. Only catchers, as we have no pitching.

That being said, what is your fascination with trading Gomez? Why not just wait until his value plummets and we can pick up more spare parts?

Texmet out.