Mets get Matthews from LA Angels

NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The New York Mets filled an outfield void Friday by acquiring Gary Matthews Jr. from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to replace Carlos Beltran.

The Angels got reliever Brian Stokes.

Matthews, 35, one of baseball's best defensive players, will join Angel Pagan in center while Beltran continues recovering from recent surgery on his arthritic right knee.

Matthews batted .250 in a part-time role last season with four homers and 50 RBI.

"Gary is going there to perform and put himself in a position that, even when Beltran comes back, he's going to be a major contributor to the Mets," Matthews' agent, Scott Leventhal, told the Los Angeles Times.

The Mets said on their Web site Friday they are committed to paying Pagan at least the $1.275 million they offered him during arbitration.

Pagan, 28, played center during most of Beltran's absence due to a knee injury last season.