Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mets are close to a minor league deal with free agent righty Claudio Vargas. It’s a smart move; they need someone who can eat innings at a league average ERA. Four teams were pursuing Vargas.
Vargas, 29 in May, has always posted a decent strikeout rate. If he rediscovers his control from ’06 and limits the longball, he could be solid. No risk for the Mets. Vargas initially balked at the idea of going to the minors, but perhaps he couldn’t find any better offers.
