"It's probably safe to eliminate center field as a position the Mets will look to upgrade this offseason.

Without officially saying Angel Pagan will be tendered a contract for 2012 and return as the center fielder, general manager Sandy Alderson yesterday strongly hinted that will be the case.

"I think Angel gave us quite a bit [last season] that maybe was underappreciated," Alderson said at the general managers' meetings. "Maybe the defense wasn't up to his expectation or even ours, but he gave us some speed on the bases."

The free-agent pool for center fielders is extremely limited, and Alderson admitted he didn't have a good feel for the market yet. The Mets have until Dec. 12 to decide if they will offer Pagan arbitration."