Giants re-sign Angel Pagan

[rxmeister]

Four years, 40 million. One year too many, but the yearly number isn't bad at all. In fact he probably was offered more money by the Phillies, but wanted to stay in SF. Welcome back, Angel! It was believed Scutaro would be easier, but Marco is getting a little greedy, supposedly looking for a third year. At his age, that's not a good idea. It's believed that the Yankees are driving up his price, as they're looking to sign him with the news ARod is out till next June after hip surgery. The Giants are looking also to add a righty bat to platoon with Blanco in left, but how much they spend on that will depend on whether they sign Scutaro or not.

[sharksrog]

Mark -- Four years, 40 million. One year too many, but the yearly number isn't bad at all. In fact he probably was offered more money by the Phillies, but wanted to stay in SF. Welcome back, Angel! It was believed Scutaro would be easier, but Marco is getting a little greedy, supposedly looking for a third year. At his age, that's not a good idea. It's believed that the Yankees are driving up his price, as they're looking to sign him with the news ARod is out till next June after hip surgery. The Giants are looking also to add a righty bat to platoon with Blanco in left, but how much they spend on that will depend on whether they sign Scutaro or not.

Rog -- Except for the Marco difficulties, this all sounds good. I would prefer a full-time left fielder, but a right-handed bat to platoon with Blanco would be a decent approach.

It would be nice to know the Giants' salary budget, but with their still offering on Scutaro and planning to pick up a platoon left fielder, it would appear to be around $150 million.

One comforting thought is that the Giants almost always seem to come up with a low-priced surprise, such as both Blanco, Joaquin Arias and George Kontos a year ago. I have to admit, Arias got by me last winter.

If the Giants come up with a second baseman and left fielder, all that would remain would be a second utility infielder and a 5th outfielder, two slots that shouldn't cost much.

Anyone have any ideas for a left field platoon prospect and, should Marco not re-sign, a backup plan for second base?

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[sfgdood]

I guess this means we can expect Gary Brown to be traded. I hope it's to an AL team.

~Dood

[sharksrog]

Randy -- I guess this means we can expect Gary Brown to be traded. I hope it's to an AL team.

Rog -- I don't think this necessarily means Gary's tenure with the Giants is over, although I agree that could be the case. Remember, the Giants could always move Angel to left field if they decide a year or so from now to platoon Gary and Gregor Blanco, or to simply make Gary the starter out there.

I do suspect though, that if the Giants had a say in the matter, they are regretting trading Zack Wheeler for Carlos Beltran instead of trading Gary to complete the deal.

It's great to have you back with us, Randy, on what I hope will continue to be a regular basis. I am finding this off-season to be nearly as exciting as the regular season. I just couldn't WAIT for the Giants to get going on center field, second base and left field, and FINALLY they took a step.

As I just posted, Randy, I haven't been as excited about Brown as you have, but I truly hope you are the one who is more accurate. An outfield in a year or so of Brown, Pagan and Pence could be quite exciting -- and darn fast, especially if Blanco continues as the 4th outfielder.

I think Gregor is about as good as any outfielder in the game, and I believe Gary has the potential to be as good or possibly even better. As fast as Gregor is, Gary is even faster. I believe Gary has the better arm too, doesn't he?


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[sfgdood]

I do suspect though, that if the Giants had a say in the matter, they are regretting trading Zack Wheeler for Carlos Beltran instead of trading Gary to complete the deal.

Dood - I dont think Id go that far. I figure they wish they hadnt made any move at all, since Beltran didnt get them to the playoffs...even though he did play well when healthy. Wheeler hasnt exactly proven he's a can't miss prospect, although he has done well in the minors.



It's great to have you back with us, Randy, on what I hope will continue to be a regular basis. I am finding this off-season to be nearly as exciting as the regular season. I just couldn't WAIT for the Giants to get going on center field, second base and left field, and FINALLY they took a step.

Dood - as you should know by now, Im not much of an offseason poster. Speculation and projections arent my thing. But I check in from time to time when moves are made.



As I just posted, Randy, I haven't been as excited about Brown as you have, but I truly hope you are the one who is more accurate. An outfield in a year or so of Brown, Pagan and Pence could be quite exciting -- and darn fast, especially if Blanco continues as the 4th outfielder.

Dood - in my opinion Brown is one of the best overall outfield prospects I have ever seen in San Jose. He's got some pop, a strong accurate arm and he's an absolute burner in the field and on the bases. The Eastern League bit him a bit this year but it has done that to lots of good hitters. I expect him to bounce back nicely in Fresno this coming season.



I think Gregor is about as good as any outfielder in the game, and I believe Gary has the potential to be as good or possibly even better. As fast as Gregor is, Gary is even faster. I believe Gary has the better arm too, doesn't he?

Dood - 16 assists in 2011, 10 in 2012

~Dood

[sharksrog]

Dood - I dont think Id go that far. I figure they wish they hadnt made any move at all, since Beltran didnt get them to the playoffs...even though he did play well when healthy. Wheeler hasnt exactly proven he's a can't miss prospect, although he has done well in the minors.

Rog -- I agree with you that by far the Giants' first choice would have been to not have made the trade at all. And I'm far from certain they had a choice between Wheeler and Brown. But most now agree Wheeler is the better prospect of the two (although that could change at any time). And Wheeler's timing would be perfect for the Giants, who face the loss or overpaying of Tim Lincecum a year from now.

Wheeler is expected to hit the majors sometimes in 2013 and to be rotation-ready in 2014. He has long been considered to have excellent stuff, just with the need to harness it. He has been a high-strikeout guy (9.7 K per nine) and a tough guy to hit (7.3 H/9). His problem with the Giants was control, but he has improved by about a walk and a half per nine since leaving the Giants. Since leaving the Giants, Wheeler's WHIP has been 1.15 in High A, 1.16 in AA, and 1.18 in AAA.

Zack pitched his last six games of 2012 in AAA, whereas Gary was unable to progress past AA (although he came on at the plate after a very slow start).

Maybe the Mets insisted on Wheeler (which would likely have been wise), but the word at the time was that the Giants would have to give up EITHER Brown or Wheeler to acquire Beltran.

One thing about pitching: It is more volatile than position players. A strong season from Brown could move him back ahead of Wheeler in the prospect race. Barring injury though, Wheeler will likely make the majors before Brown. If the Mets trade R.A. Dickey, that would open the door a crack for Wheeler.

A weird coincidence with Wheeler is that his two stops with the Giants saw him post identical 3.99 ERA's. With the Mets he has been 2.00 in High A, 3.26 in AA, and 3.27 in AAA. He made the jump from AA to AAA pretty easily, lowering his hit rate to the best of his career. Zack has been a strikeout/ground ball pitcher, although more of the former than the latter.

Another advantage Wheeler has over Brown is that he is nearly two and a half years younger. I hope the future will prove differently, but at this time it would appear that if the Giants made the choice in the Beltran deal, they picked the wrong player.


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