According to reports on XM Radio and on Cubs.com, Angel Pagan was traded to the New York Mets today for two minor leaguers, pitcher Ryan Meyers and outfielder Corey Coles.
Updated 2:28pm C.T. with information on both players obtained from the Mets in the trade. In a weird twist of fate, Angel Pagan was traded back to the organization in which he came from two years ago….the Cubs purchased Angel Pagan from the Mets on January 25, 2006. Pagan spent most of his tenure with the Cubs on the DL but was an important piece of Lou Piniella’s bench in 2007 until his season was cut short because of colitis.
Ryan Meyers is 22 years old and was 1-4 with 13 saves and a 2.79 ERA in 41 games last season in Single-A ball. Meyers was 1-4 with a 2.14 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP in 33 games with 13 saves, all in relief, with low-A Savannah. He pitched in 8 games for Port St. Lucie and did not have a record with a 5.59 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP. Meyers was drafted by the Mets in the 17th round in 2003.
Last season was the first time Meyers spent the entire year in the bullpen and according to Scout.com, he could have found his niche. Meyers is 6-5 and underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2004, his first year in pro ball. Meyers’ fastball tops out around 92-93 MPH, has a changeup and curve ball that is reportedly a good one and has the ability to pause a hitter when he throws it consistently. Scout.com feels the key for Meyers is to mix his speeds and to pitch to contact.
Corey Coles was listed by Baseball America as the Mets 30th best prospect in their system before the 2007 season. Coles is a left-handed hitter and spent last season in Double-A and Triple-A. He was drafted by the Mets in the 5th round in 2003.
Coles spent most of last year in Double-A but started the year in High-A and played 9 games in Triple-A to end the season. He hit .296 with a .352 OBP in 66 games in Double-A with 1 home run and 22 RBI’s.
Baseball America stated one of Coles’ strengths is his plate discipline and “his ability to make sound, consistent contact all over the field.” Coles is tough to strike out and makes good contact but lacks power….he had just 18 extra base hits in 2007. Baseball America ranks him as a solid outfielder that makes good reads and makes good jumps on balls. Coles has average speed with a below average arm, despite the fact he was a pitcher in college. Coles was compared to Orlando Palmeiro.