On Tuesday, Angel Pagan addressed the fact that he will no longer be the Giants' everyday center fielder.
Pagan, who will turn 35 years old in July, is slated to open the 2016 season in left field.
"Well, he said all the right things, and all the things he should say," Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow said on KNBR 680 on Wednesday morning. "Look, his feelings are hurt. He's no longer gonna be a center fielder. And that's been his identity his whole career, and he's never really had to think about playng the corner outfield position.
"So in essence, he is gonna be out of his comfort zone a bit, but look, it happens."
In early January, the Giants signed Denard Span to a three-year contract.
[PAVLOVIC: 'Rejuvenated' Pagan surprised by Span signing, but 'on board']
The 31-year old is San Francisco's new center fielder and leadoff hitter.
Pagan hasn't played left field since 2010 with the Mets, and will become an unrestricted free agent next winter.
"You can have your feelings hurt all you want, but bottom line is, they're giving you a chance to play in left field every day, on your walk year, the last year of your contract," Krukow added. "And you have to prove to the rest of the baseball world that you still have game. Now you have an opportunity to do it in left field ... and if his feelings remain hurt, and he pulls an attitude muscle, I would be very surprised.
"But if that was the case, which I don't think it is and obviously he said the right things, but he has to maintain it."
So what were the "right things" that Pagan said to reporters?
“I’ll be honest, I’ll be really honest, I was a little surprised by the move. When that’s your position and you’re asked to play a different position, I was surprised, but at the same time Span is a great center fielder and great player,” Pagan said. “Every player has pride and you have to sit down and understand that at some point you have to make a move. I prepared myself really well for center field and the team asked me to move to left — I’m on board.
“I’m on board 100 percent. I’m here to do whatever the team asks me to do.”
Over 133 games last season, Pagan hit .262 with three home runs and 37 RBI.
His OPS was a career-low .635
"He's got to be the player that we've seen him be in the past," Krukow said of Pagan. "He's got to be positive energy. And I don't think it's gonna be an issue ... but it's important to get everybody on board, no doubt."
