Angel Pagan was not supposed to be anything more than a band-aid utility player for the New York Mets. Pagan was not supposed to upset continuity, look fluid in the 2 hole, or even make much of an impact. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Angel has done, and now the Mets are going to have to make some difficult decisions.

Endy Chavez was set to be the Mets 4th outfielder . Playing in 71 games last season, he hit .287 with decent range in the outfield, and the versatility to play multiple positions. Endy basically secured his place on the Mets roster when he robbed Scott Rolen in game seven of the 2006 NLCS, and then doubled up Jim Edmonds at first. Before winter ball in Venezuela, Chavez was the first option the Mets had if a starting outfielder went down. During his time in the Latin American country however, Endy pulled a hamstring, and missed some time. When you're a 4th outfielder for the NY Mets, you gotta be outstanding, durable, indestructable, and certainly free of injuries during your "off-season". Endy didn't heed this advice, and the Mets took notice of a need for another versatile outfielder, and took a chance on the Cubs outfielder, Angel Pagan.

Batting over .390 in the early part of this season, Pagan is off to a lightning fast start. His ability to play multiple positions in the outfield is quickly making the Mets faithful forget Endy Chavez's name. If he continues with this stellar play, the Mets will have no choice but to address their current outfield situation. Any way you look at it the situation can be boiled down to one re-occuring fact, Moises Alou is injury prone. While being a very consistent bat, Alou's age has made him more fragile then ever, and more injury prone than Pedro Martinez has been.

Despite his hernia (man that's gotta hurt) Moises Alou has started swinging a bat again. Whether or not he's hitting balls off the tee, or actually seeing batting practice meatballs is inconsequential. The fact remains that if he is swinging, he's feeling better from his hernia surgery, and there should be a set time table for his return. At 100%, Moises produces one of the most consistent at-bats in the Mets lineup, which basically translates to starting time when he's healthy.

So the question remains? what do you do with a guy who doesn't have a set position, but continues to hit close to .400? Do you split time with the still developing, sky is the limit prospect in right field, Ryan Church? Do you rotate Pagan into the lineup mid game? Or do you try and platoon him to get him 100 games by splitting time in both left and right? The jury is still out as to what should be done with Pagan, but rest assured, if he continues to bat close to .400, the Mets will find a way to get him considerable playing time.