MLB: Analyzing the New York Mets' Signings and Angel Pagan Trade to S.F. Giants

Just after 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the New York Mets signed Toronto Blue Jays RHPs Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco, and they also traded CF Angel Pagan to the San Francisco Giants for CF Andres Torres and RHP Ramon Ramirez, according to an Associated Press report.

As a fan of both the Mets and the Giants, I have had plenty of time to watch all three players involved in the deal.

As a Met fan, I am very satisfied with the signings.

After All-Star SS Jose Reyes signed with the Miami Marlins, the New York Mets could ill afford to sit back and do nothing for the remainder of the offseason. After last night's trade of Angel Pagan, it seems as if the Mets are finally entering rebuilding mode, something that has been a long time coming.

Is 34-year-old Andres Torres the answer for the Mets?

Probably not, but changes needed to be made regardless.

Torres and Pagan are both coming off of poor seasons, but they both shined in 2010. Torres will likely start in 2012 for the Mets, but Ramirez is the major player in the deal.

The Mets were in need of relief entering Tuesday, but Ramirez, Francisco and Rauch will provide the support the team has been lacking for years. Francisco will likely close, after saving games for the Blue Jays in 2011. Not signing a more expensive closer will allow the Mets to maybe spend money on a bat.

But what do the Giants get out of trading for Angel Pagan?

Pagan has more potential than Torres, but with Melky Cabrera already signed with the Giants, Pagan will likely be the fourth outfielder.

You may ask, why would the Giants trade two players for a backup outfielder? With Cabrera's signing, Torres would not have started for the Giants anyway in 2012, so the Giants upgraded their backup outfielder.

The Mets needed a reliever and were willing to part ways with Pagan to make a move, and the Giants could afford to trade Ramirez, as their bullpen is strong without him.

Both teams benefited from this small deal.

Pagan and Torres won't change the outlook of a season, but they will definitely help the Mets and Giants down the road.