Four for an Angel?

[sharksrog]

MLB Trade Rumors says two teams -- believed to be the Giants and the Phillies -- have offered Angel Pagan four-year contracts.

The Philiies -- trying to replace free agent Shane Victorino -- are believed to feel they can sign Pagan and have money left over for third base and pitching.

The Phils are said to have offered free agent B.J. Upton 5/$55 before he signed with the Braves for 5/$75. Upton was valued higher than Pagan because he is three years younger and should have more prime years left.

Heard something about Pagan on yesterday's Clubhouse Confidential that increased my interest in the Giants' signing him. SABR president Vince whatever his name is measured how hitters performed against good pitchers, average pitchers and bad pitchers. Many hitters feasted on the weaklings.

Angel was in the top five in the LEAST difference in his hitting against good pitchers and the weaklings. That would in theory help in the late innings against top set up men and closers.

Perhaps even more attractive, it should stand him well in the postseason, where hitters face good pitchers more often with the roles of back-of-the-rotation and back-of-the-bullpen pitchers reduced.

Angel hit very poorly this postseason (.188/.578), but that is a small sample.

My estimate of a 4/$45 contract for Angel may be a bit light.

[rxmeister]

Actually, Rog, rumor has it that the Phillies have offered him 4 yrs 40 million dollars. I think that's matchable, but I think I can go either way with this one. Sign Pagan, or go with someone cheaper and more short term like Shane Victorino, and with the money saved, go with a right hand hitting outfielder like Cody Ross or even Giant killer Scott Hairston. A Hairston-Blanco platoon could be very effective, with Scott getting some starts against righties when he goes on those hot streaks of his.

[sharksrog]

Mark -- Actually, Rog, rumor has it that the Phillies have offered him 4 yrs 40 million dollars. I think that's matchable, but I think I can go either way with this one.

Rog -- I too would go 4/$40. That's $10 million per season, which isn't too bad. I'd prefer not to have the fourth year, but for $10 million per season, I would go for it. Of course, I'm assuming the Giants' salary budget will be between $155 and $160 million. If it is significantly less, I'm not sure they can afford him without trading away other salary.

Mark -- Sign Pagan, or go with someone cheaper and more short term like Shane Victorino, and with the money saved, go with a right hand hitting outfielder like Cody Ross or even Giant killer Scott Hairston. A Hairston-Blanco platoon could be very effective, with Scott getting some starts against righties when he goes on those hot streaks of his.

Rog -- I like the idea of Hairston. whose asking price shouldn't be excessive. At 4/$40 for Pagan, I would think the Giants would save a year or two with Victorino -- but not all that much per season.

Shane made $9.5 million this past season. He had a poor season, but has his price tag dropped that much from 2012?

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