The Mets avoided arbitration with Angel Pagan, agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract Monday.

Pagan is expected to compete with Carlos Beltran for the starting center field job.

“For the first time in my career I have a spot on the team,” Pagan said in a statement. “But I’m not taking anything for granted. I can’t wait for spring training to start. I think we’ll be better than people are predicting.”

The team also finalized a two-year deal with R.A. Dickey, worth approximately $7.8 million with a team option for 2013.

“My goal is to be the biggest bargain in baseball,” Dickey said.