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The San Francisco Giants are interested in signing free-agent outfielder Shane Victorino if they cannot come to an agreement to bring back center fielder Angel Pagan, reports John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle:
#SFGiants still interested in Shane Victorino in case Angel Pagan leaves. Stats last 2 years favor Victorino.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) December 3, 2012
The 32-year-old Victorino had his career-worst year in 2012, hitting just .255/.321/.383 with 11 home runs in 154 games between the Phillies and the Dodgers. Pagan, on the other hand, put up some of the best offensive numbers of his career this past season, hitting .288/.338/.440 with a league-best 15 triples in 154 games for the Giants .
The pair's offensive numbers look much more even if you compare them over their careers, with fewer than 10 points separating the two in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Victorino is a year older, and is not quite the elite center fielder Pagan is, but he may be the much cheaper option considering his disappointing numbers in 2012.
Pagan made just $4.85 million in 2012 -- opposed to Victorino's $9.5 million -- but should be in line for a big raise and a multi-year deal following his big year. The Phillies reportedly made a four-year offer for the outfielder last week.
