Mets sign Jason Vargas

by Brian Erni February 16, 2018

The Mets have a deal with Jason Vargas, pending a physical.

Sources: Mets and Jason Vargas have a deal pending physical
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 16, 2018

Jason Vargas rewarded for his big season with a two-year, $16M deal with the #Mets, pending physical. Deal includes a club option for 2020.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 16, 2018

Vargas spent the last four seasons with the Royals. Last year, he made 32 starts, went 18-11, and posted a 4.16 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.

Vargas is coming off the best year of his career, and he did it in his age-34 season. He was worth a career-high 3.8 WAR, more than a half a win better than his previous high in 2012. And this deal reunites him with his pitching coach, Dave Eiland, who seemed to get the most out of him. In 421.2 innings with Kansas City, Vargas was worth 7.1 WAR.

But there are red flags, particularly his performance against lefties.

In 2017, left handed batters slashed .306/.353/.478 in 150 plate appearance against Vargas. That's eye-catching, particularly because he had handled lefties well in his career (.265/.314/.401 over 1455 PAs). Is it the start of a trend? It's hard to say, but I imagine that the Mets will want Vargas to act both as someone who can eat innings in the rotation and someone who can get a big out against a lefthander out of the bullpen. Either way, it's an area where he'll need to be better.

Plus, Vargas did just turn 35. That, of course, isn't a deal breaker. We've seen pitchers, especially lefties, continue to be effective into their late-30s. But Vargas had elbow problems in 2015 and '16, and struggled badly in the second half last season, as he posted a 6.38 ERA in his final 15 starts.

Still it's a signing that makes a ton of sense. I'm a little surprised that it's for two years with an option, but the money is reasonable, and the Mets had a need.

Vargas is a former Met. In November 2006, then-general manager (and current special assistant to Sandy Alderson) Omar Minaya acquired Vargas in exchange for Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom. Vargas made two starts for the 2007 Mets, and in December 2008, was traded as part of the three-team deal that brought JJ Putz to Queens.

Overall, this is a deal that seemed inevitable. Vargas will now be the third lefty on the 40-man roster, and the Mets have gotten themselves more protection for their rotation. Will this be Sandy's last move? If I had to bet, yes, but I still think they'd benefit from bringing in one last arm.

Image credits: Peter G. Aiken | USA Today Sports
Steve Nesius | AP
Chris Livingston | NY Times