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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 4, 2008
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I was going to post this yesterday before the game but now I feel much better about asking this question. With the way Pagan has been playing in left do you think that the Mets may have a controversy when Alou gets healthy? Obviously this has been a very small sample size for Pagan but he was also probably our best hitter during spring training as well. Alou has definatly had the better career (I shouldn't even have to put that in) and is still the better hitter. However, Pagan is better defensively and is a better base runner. Personally, I feel that Pagan has played his way into the line-up and he shouldn't lose the starting job until he starts to fall off. They could also do a platoon situation where Alou won't have to start as many games and hopefully could stay healthy for the entire year. Or they could bench Pagan when Alou comes back and use him as they do Endy. What do you guys think?
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 21, 2006
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While Pagan has had a nice showing early on, he's no Moises Alou. Career 260 hitter to 300. Minimal power to deep ball threat. As for the defense, I believe some of you guys are overrating Pagan, I've seen him misplay a few balls this year. I think both players are a wash defensively. Church so far has proved that he can handle lefties, and he's even slapping the ball the other way. Thus, I really don't see him getting much playing time once Alou comes back, that's until he goes on the DL again, of course.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 11, 2008
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I don't totally agree with skierleeub. Once Alou comes back, obviously he's our left fielder. Period. Pagan will spell Alou more often due to his age and trying to keep Alou off the DL, but don't expect Alou to relinquish too much playing time. In right, I think you'll see a bit more of a joint effort. While Church is doing better against lefties, I'd still rather have the switch hitting Pagan in there. So I'd venture that there will be a platoon in right, with Alou taking a bunch of the night followed by a day game off.
Either way, poor Endy, haha. Not much room left for him on this crowded outfield.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 4, 2008
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I agree, he's certainly not Alou when it comes to swinging the bat. I don't think it's a wash in the field though. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Pagan is a gold-glover out in left but he does have more range than Alou. I think that the more he plays than the more comfortable he'll be out there and can turn into a very solid outfielder. He's definatly got the speed for it. He's not going to put up the power number that Alou does (and probably never will) but he can do some of the small things that Alou can't (bunting, stealing, etc.). I just hope that when Alou does come back, he's not just going to re-assume the starting role. I hope that he and Pagan can somehow split it. Maybe not 50-50 but somewhere around 70-30, that way Alou might avoid the DL.
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 26, 2006
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But for right now Pagan and Church are making Mets management look brilliant. They are performing far and above thier normal output. Imagine if the rest of the team was performing to par.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 20, 2006
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I really wanted to vote for "I'm an idiot for suggesting it" because I thought that it was funny, but I thought better of it.
When Alou comes back he'll likely get 75% of the playing time in LF. It's nice to know though that Pagan will be a nice fill in when Alou needs a day off. This will save Endy for the role he is most valuable in: late innning defensive replacement/pinch runner.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 3, 2007
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I'm all for re-assessing when Alou is ready to come back. Who knows how Pagan will do over the next month? If he continues his great start then deciding between which good outfielder to play is a problem I'd like to have! <br />
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It all depends on how Pagan AND Church continue their play.<br />
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If Pagan continues to play well, Alou can rest up a little longer and not rush back too soon. And when he does get back then they can split time in left field with a majority going to Alou.<br />
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If Church start faltering a little then Pagan can split time between both Alou in left and Church in right when there are lefty opposing pitchers. (Despite his great start, Church is still only .182 against lefties).<br />
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I've been wondering about this same topic the past few days, but realized it's kind of pointless to start a debate a month ahead of time when we're only 8 games into the season and we have a month or so before Alou is back and forces a decision to be made. A lot can happen in a month!
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:May 29, 2007
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Angel Pagan has been great for the FIRST week of the season.
But lets not forget, it has only been 8 games. I think the better question is can he push Church for playing time in RF. Alou is one of the better hitting OF's in the game. He has been a productive hitter his entire career. Health will continue to be his problem. Pagan has proven that he has a place on the team, as a 4th OF/PH. If he continues playing well, Endy Chavez will have to earn any at-bats. This is a terrific problem for Willie Randolph to have. Pagan can spell all 3 OF's, the position most thought Chavez would have. I hope he can keep it up.
GO Mets
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