Report: Blue Jays, Phillies connected to Pagan

Angel Pagan's performance at the World Baseball Classic appears to have improved his job prospects.

On Thursday, one day after Pagan broke up Marcus Stroman's no-hit bid in the seventh inning of the WBC championship game, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported that the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies are connected to the 35-year-old outfielder.

Pagan, an 11-year MLB veteran who spent the last five seasons with the San Francisco Giants, went 10-for-35 (.286) with a team-high three doubles for Puerto Rico in the tournament.

Before the WBC, Pagan received several contract offers, his agent said, but none were "the right fit." At the time, Pagan - also linked to the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals in recent weeks - was adamant he wouldn't accept a minor-league deal. (According to a report from early March, Pagan had agreed to sign with the Baltimore Orioles, but the deal fizzled due to an issue with his physical.)

"I just don't feel I need to be fighting for a job ... If a team wants me to help a team win, they know I can help them win," Pagan said.

Pagan, who earned $11.25 million in 2016, wouldn't necessarily be guaranteed an everyday role with the Blue Jays or Phillies, though. In Toronto, Pagan would likely platoon in left field with Melvin Upton Jr., and his playing time would probably be even more sporadic in Philadelphia, where he'd likely be used to spell offseason additions Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders.

Last year, after regressing considerably in 2015, Pagan thrived as the Giants' primary left fielder, putting up 2.1 WAR - his most since 2012 - while hitting .277/.331/.418 (105 wRC+) with a career-high 12 homers and 15 stolen bases in 129 games.