Angel in the Outfield

I just want to go on record to say I think Angel Pagan is a great pickup for the Giants. He can play. Every time I've ever seen him, I've thought "that guy is a player."

Of course, I remember saying that about Mickey Johnson. (That ought to get some of you scrambling.)

I was never enamored of Andres Torres except as a fine gentleman. I'm not sure how he hit all those homers in 2010, though I'm sure glad he found a way. He has a great story, and you can add the exclamation mark when you remember him coming back almost instantly from surgery to remove his appendix.

As for Ramon Ramirez, he was pretty great except for August, when he gave up 9 earned runs, 17 hits and 6 walks in 13-1/3 innings. And yet, when first Wilson and then Romo got hurt, they gave the ball to Santiago Casilla, not Ramirez, to close the games.

And just a few baseball notes from the news according to Rotoworld:

The Padres designated OF Jeremy Hermida for assignment. He was cleared to make room for the newly-acquired Huston Street on the 40-man roster. Hermida is still only 27, but he only hit .190/.288/.362 with two home runs and nine RBI over 66 plate appearances between the Padres and Reds this past season. He was a MONSTER prospect. How did he go downhill so young?

I love this one. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com writes that the Brewers are bracing for Francisco Rodriguez to accept arbitration. Apparently things have changed now that two more potential destinations (the Padres and Mets) are off the board. Accepting may be his best bet, as he has a chance to make around $13 million through the arbitration process. That would make him a very expensive set-up man for John Axford, but a trade is also possible. HA HA HA HA HA!

What are the Mets doing on this one? Is Sandy Alderson out of his freaking mind? Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the Mets are shopping first baseman Ike Davis.

Finally, I see the Cubs are interested in Chase Headley? I am now totally sold on how bad it is to have hitters (and good it is to have pitchers) who play in Petco. Headley's road numbers last year were .330/.399/.465. Keeper at 18 if traded?