Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (2012 Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – Giants General Manager Brian Sabean just checked off one of the top items on his off season to do list.
San Francisco and free-agent center fielder Ángel Pagán agreed to a $40 million, four-year contract Monday as baseball's winter meetings got under way in Nashville, Tenn.
Bobby Evans, the team's Vice President of baseball operations, said the deal with Pagán was "very close" and the leadoff hitter would be subject to a physical to finalize his return to the reigning World Series champions.
Retaining Puerto Rican ball player Pagán was among the top priorities for Sabean this offseason, along with keeping recently re-signed left-handed reliever Jeremy Affeldt and second baseman Marco Scutaro. Affeldt received an $18 million, three-year contract Nov. 14.
The 31-year-old Pagán batted .288 with eight home runs, 56 RBIs and a San Francisco-best 15 triples in his first season with the Giants. Pagán said late in the season and again after the World Series parade that he hoped to return, but wanted to test free agency and sought some job security in the form of a multiyear deal.
On Friday, Sabean said the club had made backup plans to move forward without Pagán or Scutaro in case neither decided to re-sign — but progress with Pagán apparently happened during the weekend after Sabean said, "We don't have a deal, so that tells you we're not close."
Whether NL championship series MVP Scutaro returns is still a question. He very well could have a new suitor in the mix after the New York Yankees said Monday that third baseman Alex Rodriguez will have surgery on his left hip and could be lost until the 2013 All-Star break.
Sabean said he likely wouldn't address his bullpen until after first negotiating with the representatives for Pagán and Scutaro.
The 37-year-old Scutaro hit .362 with three homers and 44 RBIs in 61 games with the Giants after he was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.
San Francisco declined Friday to tender a contract to closer Brian Wilson, who is recovering from a second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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