The Cubs purchased the contract of the uncommonly named Angel Pagan, an outfielder, from the New York Mets on Wednesday. They placed Pagan on the 40-man roster. Pagan, 24, is a lifetime minor leaguer. At Triple-A Norfolk last year, he hit .271/.333/.395, hitting a career high 8 home runs and striking out a career high 111 times. In 2004, Pagan hit .287/.346/.405 in Double-A. Not bad, but nothing he's ever duplicated.

The Cubs' scouting must be telling them something that Pagan's numbers don't tell us. It appears he can run, as he will steal a base. Unfortunately, he will also get thrown out (27-for-42 last year).

What this does do is lessen the chance that Marquis Grissom will make the team, by removing a spot on the 40-man roster.