The Twins have claimed Kennys Vargas off waivers from the Reds, says Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The Reds had claimed the first base/DH type off waivers from the Twins just two days ago, but it’s possible that they designated him in order to make room for infielder Cliff Pennington, who was added to the roster just earlier today, and possibly reliever Kevin Quackenbush.
The intriguing transaction puts Vargas right back with the organization with whom he’d spent his entire career up until Thursday. As MLBTR’s Jeff Todd noted at that time, it was difficult to see how Vargas would make Cincinnati’s roster, since he’s out of options and can only play first base (where Joey Votto will be firmly entrenched on a daily basis). Though he’d have made an interesting pinch-hitting option, it seemed as though the Reds might be able to use the roster spot more efficiently.
Still, it seems as though many around the league believe there to be some upside for the 27-year-old Vargas, who hit .253/.314/.444 last season. He has some reasonable power upside; Vargas homered 10 times and made hard contact at a 41.7% clip in 177 plate appearances during the 2016 campaign. He also owns a walk rate over 15% in his career at the Triple-A level, though the Twins are still waiting for that to translate to the MLB level at which he owns a .311 career OBP.
Well, alright. That was an interesting sequence of events.
“hit .253/.314/.44 last season”
A small typo
He had a very, very bad season man
I mean, yes, there is limited defensive versatility and he strikes out a lot, but his OPS was .758 which is slightly better than major league average (which I believe is .750).
It a typo, but he article stated he had a sub .300 ops
Technically that typo implies .440, otherwise it would have to be .044.
True
I’m not even mad. That’s amazing…
Great catch!
lmao. So he’s probably back on waivers right now?
Lol. Most likely but if he made it to the back to the Twins chances are he would’ve cleared the first time without the Reds claim so try again. Funny stuff
I guess they’d rather have him than Ryan LaMarre which makes sense.
Either that or they’re going to give shopping him another shot
Are the Twins just going to have place him on waivers again?
Say what???
Kenny Vargas,
the Reds claim surprised us.
You hit well to be wanted,
but by the claims you are taunted.
Back to square one,
that was not fun.
Hit the ball more,
then in free agency you can score!
Worst limerick ever. Be better.
Not a limerick.
Exactly why it’s a horrific excuse for a limerick.
He’s not wrong…
I don’t think they have to put him back on waivers since he was claimed on waivers. He can now be outrighted to AAA
No, that’s not true. They’ve gotta either waive him or keep him again. It’s why the Reds claimed and waived him in the first place. Until he clears, he can’t go to the minors.
Incorrect. If they want to send him down he will again have to clear.
Incorrectomundo, Captain Balloondo. Ye either clear them waves to steady shores, or ride the waves and wires from city to city. Much to learn, much to teach.
He’ll have to clear waivers to get sent to minors. He’s back on the wire already. You can bank on that.
10 teams are below the Twins in waiver priority. In order;
MIL, COL,NYY, CHC, ARI, BOS, WAS, HOU,CLE,LAD.
Do any of them have a need for this guy?
The only one that MAYBE needs him is Colorado, but, in reality they don’t.
If Boston claims him I’m going to throw myself head first into a jet engine
I thought waiver priority started with the other league. So if twins do put him back through waivers, all NL teams have first dibs according to waiver position and then the AL teams. Can anyone verify or clarify?
League doesn’t matter on outright wavers. All teams go by winning percentage and in the case of a tie then it goes to the league from which the team that designated him originates.
So will the reds claim him again when the twins waive him?
Maybe Vargas can just keep getting claimed every three days all year
And the plot thickens..
The expression on Vargas photo is the same on my face OK??