New York Mets might not take Angel Pagan to new Citi Field – MLB Update
The New York Mets believe that colossal changes to the ballclub will surely bring changes to their fate for the next season. To live up to it, they are considering shuffling the entire roster, with a special emphasis on adding more defence and retaining
the offence, barring free agent shortstop Jose Reyes.
With the plan to renovate Citi Field already out, the Mets are now believed to place the axe on Angel Pagan, who has been undoubtedly the most inconsistent player in the ballclub. The out-fielder, who plays at centre-field, is still not sure on his future
with the Mets and the team management is still debating on whether to include Pagan in plans for 2012.
Given his injury problems, the Mets are expected to trade him for a stronger and affordable centre-fielder, someone whom they can rely on for the entire season. Furthermore, the Mets have already announced their aim of slashing the payroll by at least 30-million-dollars
for 2012 and thus Pagan’s signing might not help the team in this cause.
Washington Nationals’ Rick Ankiel is being considered as a potential replacement for Pagan, especially after helping his team to finish respectively the NL East division. After struggling for the entire first half of the season, the Nationals resurfaced
after the All-Star break to finish just behind Atlanta Braves in their division. This was evidence worthy enough to sense that the ballclub will be a force to reckon in 2012, especially with reinforcements in-line for the roster.
Although Ankiel’s batting percentage was less than what Pagan managed in 2011, the former is expected to bring in enthusiasm to the Mets, who collapsed miserably towards the end of the regular season.
Ankiel, once a pitching star for St. Louis Cardinals, is now attempting to prove his mettle as a quality out-fielder. The player earned 1.5-million-dollars this past season and is now a free agent, looking to sign a long-term deal.
The Mets, apart from Ankiel, have shown interest in Oakland Athletics’ Coco Crisp as well, but the player has insisted that he will prefer an extension with his current team. With the market now open, it will be interesting to see how things shape-up.
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