The remarkable run through October made by the San Francisco Giants made household names out of a few players. One guy that likely will take advantage of his new-found fame is center fielder Angel Pagan.
Oct 28, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Angel Pagan (16) reacts at batting practice prior to game four of the 2012 World Series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (whose article wasn’t about Pagan at all, but Melky Cabrera), there are some who think Cabrera could wind up staying with the World Champs if only because Pagan’s great play and his age may have priced himself out of San Francisco.
"One NL personnel head went as far as to say he thinks Pagan, because of his trajectory and prime center field position, will receive more than Nick Swisher in free agency."
Pagan has the ability to play all three outfield positions, but center is where the money is. Josh Hamilton will get the biggest contract and B. J. Upton and Michael Bourn will surely follow, but Pagan would seem to be next in line; ahead of Shane Victorino. Once Cabrera was suspended, Pagan was inserted into the lead-off role and blossomed into a dynamic all-around player.
Those interested in Pagan will have to hope that his time in San Francisco was more than a short-term flash of greatness, as he’s shown at times when playing for the Cubs and the Mets. Pagan is younger than Victorino and plays a better centerfield. He’s also a more dangerous hitter at this point in his career. A club looking to fill a hole in center could do much worse and Victorino’s old club, the Phillies, are expected to be shopping for a center fielder this winter.