San Francisco Giants, Angel Pagan Avoid Arbiration

According to a report from the Associated Press (via ESPN), the San Francisco Giants and outfielder Angel Pagan have successfully come to an agreement on a one-year deal for 2012, therefore avoiding salary arbitration. The 30-year-old will earn $4.85 million guaranteed in 2012.

Pagan, who is coming off a down year at the plate in 2011, hit .262/.322/.372 in 532 plate appearances as the Mets center fielder. He's also coming off a down year defensively; according to fielding metrics, Pagan cost the Mets 14.3 runs manning spacious Citi Field. Before this past season, however, Pagan was not only considered a fantastic defender, but the metrics also supported that claim.

The Giants acquired Pagan in the offseason from the Mets via trade, in exchange for outfielder Andres Torres and reliever Ramon Ramirez.

According to the report, "Pagan's deal includes $150,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 550, 600 and 650 plate appearances," meaning the deal is potentially worth $5 million. Pagan can potentially earn a $1.5 million raise from 2011 while coming off a down year.