Matthew Cerrone

Buzz: Mets on Verge of Signing Vargas
By Matthew Cerrone - Apr 10, 2008 10:01 am

…in case you missed it

According to Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com, the Mets are close to signing free-agent RHP Claudio Vargas.

The New York Post wrote last night that a deal could be done as soon as today, with the two sides on the ‘verge’ of such a deal, according to Newsday.

Last season, Vargas went 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA in 29 games for the Brewers, who released him during spring training.

…now that el duque is in a boot, and sidelined for at least two more weeks, though likely more, and with Pedro Martinez out with a hamstring injury, signing vargas to a minor-league is an absolute no brainer

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47 Comments »

Comment by Jova1931
2008-04-10 10:09:06

I guess this was inevitable.

 
Comment by backinbusiness
2008-04-10 10:09:14

Claudio “Not Jason” Vargas Career vs. Mets:
26.1 IP, 10.59 ERA, 7 games

So, at least he won’t have to go against the Mets…

 
Comment by guierllNO MOta
2008-04-10 10:10:09

The obvious police called.

Also a consortium of horse trainers believe El Duque should be dragged out back and shot.

Comment by Giaco
2008-04-10 10:11:21

Can we get El Duque som HGH or some horse tranquilizers… something…

 
 
Comment by jamie
2008-04-10 10:10:21

totally decent as a 5th starter guy. Now let’s just hope Pelfry is a totally decent 4th starter guy.

Comment by jamie
2008-04-10 10:11:18

*pelfrey

 
Comment by dannyguira
2008-04-10 10:12:24

this pickup will be great for the mets but you’re definitely underestimating Nelson Figueroa who I’m sure will impress.

Comment by therealsince86
2008-04-10 10:14:47

I don’t think that Figgy will get many chances to impress.

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Comment by therealsince86
2008-04-10 10:17:12

Will he even get a start?

 
Comment by backinbusiness
2008-04-10 10:18:59

isn’t he starting friday?
weather looks bad, though this is MIL’s only trip here…

 
Comment by therealsince86
2008-04-10 10:22:23

I am guessing he will get that start. If he logs a quality start then he will get another chance if not then Vargas is up.

 
 
Comment by jamie
2008-04-10 10:27:21

Figs looked ok. Hey, maybe I am, maybe he’ll throw a no-hitter. I won’t mind being wrong.

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Comment by kingrw
2008-04-10 10:11:05

why not???

minaya doesn’t mind stockpile-ing. One of these guys has to pan out, tight????

I am surprised they have not made a deal with freddy garcia…why not? it’s only money…worth a chance.

Comment by therealsince86
2008-04-10 10:11:42

I think Freddy is waiting to prove he is healthy so he can get a decent deal.

Comment by shea_guevara
2008-04-10 10:30:49

Yeah, from what I understand, he’s gonna basically “showcase” himself once he’s close to game-shape, probably June, and then take bids. If he has anything at all, he’s gonna draw a lot of interest. If the Yanks’ kids struggle, I could see them throwing a pile of money at him to bolster the back of their rotation.

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Comment by therealsince86
2008-04-10 10:11:10

I think people will laugh about this one but he will be a huge pickup for us. Take a look at his begining of the year stats last year, then he just lost it. He can eat innings and take the ball every 5th day with a quality start that’s great. And the fact that he will cost us almost nothing? I hope its for nothing and 2 years myself.

Comment by Jova1931
2008-04-10 10:30:06

He’s one of Omar’s former guys in Montreal. He wasn’t that bad but something is wrong with his mechanics. I hope Peterson can correct this.

Comment by Gaspar
2008-04-10 10:37:48

Yup, another project for the Jacket.

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Comment by therealsince86
2008-04-10 10:14:12

And at this point Pelfrey and Vargas are the 4 and 5. Then when Pedro comes back he takes the spot of the one doing the worst. Then Elduque will most likely go to the pen, like it or not.

Comment by krumbledkookie
2008-04-10 11:35:39

Duque will go to the pen where he will be shot and put out of OUR misery.

 
 
Comment by guierllNO MOta
2008-04-10 10:26:47

Duque aint coming back…sick of him letting us down whether its the 06 playoffs or his shenanigans from last year, lets get a dependable guy and just be done with him

BTW…wont Vargas need a few minor league starts, I mean he hasnt played since a couple weeks before the season started, so “Figgy” will get at least 2 starts I assume

 
Comment by wynton
2008-04-10 10:35:54

On the radio this morning, I heard the announcer say that El Duque was gone two months; but since that has not been reported here, I must assume that he misspoke and that the official line is still just two weeks.

On the other hand, even if the latest injury just sets him back two weeks, it’s hard to imagine him getting into pitching shape in less than 4-6 weeks.

Suddenly, just surviving until July seems like the goal.

Comment by therealsince86
2008-04-10 10:40:17

I officially think that Elduque is now insurance and a LR guy. Great to have in the playoffs if someone is struggling but please do not count on him giving anything again.

Comment by mza4eva
2008-04-10 10:46:48

I agree, get him back in late august september…and maybe make a playoff start or two, since he is “clutch” in the postseason or as was stated above, solid long relief for the playoffs

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Comment by Another Matt
2008-04-10 11:40:03

Duque’s basically off his feet for two weeks. Since he’s not starting from game-shape anyway, it’ll be at least two weeks after the boot comes off before he can “return”, probably more.

Two months is probably a bit long, unless something else goes wrong (which, at this point, seems more likely than not) - I’d agree with 4-6 weeks.

 
 
Comment by GravediggerHebner
2008-04-10 10:52:02

Milwaukee considered Dave Bush, Carlos “don’t call me Charlie” Villanueva and Manny Parra better options. That speaks volumes to me. Good luck with this one, Jacket, you’ll need it.

Comment by Another Matt
2008-04-10 11:52:54

Vargas had a 3.86 ERA in 5 starts this spring… speculation is the Brewers released him because of his salary, not his stuff.

 
 
Comment by harrychiti
2008-04-10 10:59:35

“Vargas’ agent, Bean Stringfellow, told The Post today that the Mets have offered Vargas a Triple-A deal and were one of four teams in the hunt. Stringfellow confirmed that the Mets are the favorite.”

Is Vargas seriously represented by an agent named Bean Stringfellow?

Comment by backinbusiness
2008-04-10 11:09:39

Is the highest payroll in baseball seriously managed by someone named CashMan?

Baseball’s the best.

 
 
Comment by guierllNO MOta
2008-04-10 11:02:11

isnt that wagners agent too? and coco cordero?

 
Comment by wolverine194
2008-04-10 11:07:06

Good move Mets. Seriously, why NOT take a flier on this guy?

 
Comment by PhillR
2008-04-10 11:17:16

Vargas is a decent pickup. His ERA sucks and his WHIP is awfully high, but the K/9 is good. Between the Jacket and Shea he could be passable.

Honestly my concern right now is not the starting pitching. The bullpen is NOT looking good and its too soon for the diminished starting pitching to be the cause.

Oh and the offense has been pretty miserable. With Rollins in the game last night its a 2-2 or 3-2 game come the 9th inning. The failure to score in the 1st inning and their inability to light up Durbin is terrifying. If the offense does not get into gear soon then this season will be over before it starts.