Jason Vargas’ miserable Mets tenure took another sour turn Saturday in Atlanta, where the southpaw was unable to survive the first inning against the division-rival Braves. Vargas retired just one of the six batters he faced, the others reaching on two singles and three walks, and allowed four earned runs. After the game, an 11-7 loss for the Mets, manager Mickey Callaway brought up the possibility of skipping Vargas’ next start, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
“He’s just not getting outs at this point,” Callaway said. “That’s really all I can say.”
Callaway already passed over a Vargas start earlier this season, but he’s hesitant to pull him from the rotation entirely because of a lack of alternatives, DiComo relays. Outside of the Mets’ rotation, Triple-A left-hander Hector Santiago is the most experienced starter in the organization. The offseason minor league signing’s not on the Mets’ 40-man roster and hasn’t been an effective major leaguer over the past few years, however. Meanwhile, Corey Oswalt, Chris Flexen, Walker Lockett and Drew Gagnon are occupying 40-man spots, though no one from that group has enjoyed any big league success in limited action. Relievers Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman have dabbled as starters, and Callaway did mention them as potential Vargas replacements (via Mike Puma of the New York Post), but moving either to the rotation would weaken the bullpen.
The Mets’ best bet may be to sign free-agent lefty Dallas Keuchel, who’s somehow still without a job in mid-April despite an excellent track record in the bigs. The former Astro’s asking price has dropped in recent weeks, which could make him more appealing to the Mets, yet there’s “much skepticism” they’ll add Keuchel, Puma reports. The two sides have been in contact dating back to at least last month, though, and if things don’t improve at the back end of their rotation soon, perhaps the Mets will earnestly pursue Keuchel. Even if the Mets were to ink Keuchel right now, it’s unclear when the 31-year-old would be ready to step into their rotation, given that he hasn’t pitched in a game (meaningful or exhibition) since last October. He’d likely need time to ramp up, which would still leave the Mets with a less-than-ideal situation for a little while.
The club signed Vargas to a two-year, $16MM deal prior to last season with the expectation he’d serve as an acceptable back-end complement to Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz. Instead, the 36-year-old has pitched to a valueless 6.32 ERA/5.22 FIP in 98 1/3 innings and averaged fewer than five frames per start since receiving his contract. Vargas has no doubt been a liability in New York, and whether the team can continue to rely on him as it vies for a title in the uber-competitive NL East is very much in question.
Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t Keuchel have a first round tender on him could that be why teams haven’t signed him. Either way the Mets have to sign him and dfa Vargas I cannot watch another Vargas start
A second, third and fifth round is tied to Keuchel due to the qualifying offer.
Everyone knew Vargas was done last year, I’m surprised the Mets went into the year with him but I remember CAA Sports represents Vargas and the current GM (Brodie Van Wagenen) of the Mets use to recently work for CAA Sports and I’m pretty sure he got Vargas his current deal.
So there’s probably a small conflict of interest that lead to him at least giving Vargas a shot. At this point he’s a sun cost and the Mets can’t afford waiting much longer, they need to sign Keuchel or trade for someone and given Keuchel will probably take a month or so to get the rust off I’m not sure if the Mets want to see 4-5 more starts of someone who can’t pitch replacement level.
This is why I think both sign right after the draft.
Also why more players are signing extensions so they don’t have to go through it all. The draft pick compensation was designed to limit player movement and keep star players on their teams and it’s finally working.
I drove 3 hours to Atlanta to see what I knew already!! Disaster!! if Mets are going to move forward he has to go. it doesn’t have to be Keuchel but it can’t be Vargas!!
Lol we drove from Charlotte I feel ya brotha at least I got to meet Alonso so that made up for it lol LGM
if you dfa vargas you’ll have an open 40 man roster spot, the math isnt hard.
It’s the money and the draft pick, not the roster spot
Where would the Mets find the money for Keuchel?
The Mets are a small market team located in a distant rural suburb of Albany.
Lol!
Mets have:
“oldest Triple-A team in baseball entered season average age of 28.88, seeking a possible last chance.”
Mets AAA Team:
“Their three-man outfield when Tim Tebow is DH, combined for 32 home runs, 109 steals and 192 runs scored … in 2012. Carlos Gomez (33 years old), Rajai Davis (at 38 the oldest player in the minors) and Blanco (35) are some of the zero-risk, medium-reward fliers the Mets have taken, trying to wring the talent from longtime big leaguers who are convinced they are not finished.”
Completely unrelated. Just thought I’d share.
A Yankee fan trying to add objective Mets’ analysis.
Just thought Mets’ AAA age, symbolic of their futility.
Not buying Mets’ hot start. 😉 nypost.com/2019/04/13/mets-triple-a-chock-full-of-…
The Mets have a lot of depth on the DL that’s better than replacement level. I’m sure the Mets will have a good team as long as they get Cespedes, Lowrie and Frazier back before the trade deadline.
Agreed, but can any of them pitch? The Mets have ZERO depth at starting pitching.
It sounds like you are jealous not objective. Just because your team is awful there is no need to shit on your neighbors yard. Double AA is where you develop your talent.
Right. If the Mets has been able to replicate their AAA veteran outfield depth when building their AAA rotation this wouldn’t be such a big story, they could just call up some vet. Santiago is all they have and it’s been a while since he has been decent.
If the Mets get Dallas, that pitching rotation would be insane! Could be the best rotation ever. No excuse to not win the east.
Ever? I remember a certain team that featured
Greg maddux, John stoltz, Tom glavine, Steve avery, Kevin millwood and denny neagle . That was nasty
I’d go with that Braves rotation as the best ever. ’71 Orioles were also incredible: four 20-game winners.
That Orioles rotation was the first one that came to my mind.
I love this site. A bunch of no nothings who act like no it alls. It’s so entertaining.
I don’t think all six of those pitchers were in the Braves rotation at the same time, but man, those mid-late ’90s Braves teams had a pretty great run. The WS-winning team of 95 were closest, with the three Hall of Famers and Avery, but the next starter was Kent Mercker. Neagle came a couple years later, but by then Avery and Mercker were gone. That team – the 1997 team – was probably the very best Braves rotation. Millwood showed up in 98 and he was the worst starter in the rotation, although he won 17 games. It could maybe be argued the 1998 offensive explosion makes that 98 Braves rotation the best of at least the modern era. Because starting pitcher use is so de-emphasized these days, teams like the Nats, Mets and Cleveland are way ahead of pretty much every other team in baseball.
juan gonzalez;
Comparing starters today to guys 25 years ago is the same as comparing starters in the 1940’s/60’s to the Walters Johnson’s, Cy Young’s, Christy Mathewson’s and others from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The latter not only pitched complete games, they pitched 2-4 times a week.
As an Astros commentator noted the other day – the day of Greg Maddox pitching a complete game on 84 pitches is gone. Batters are held to working counts, hitting foul balls, and K’ing is acceptable. Trevor Bauer was pulled from a no-hit game because he was up to 117 pitches after 7 innings. In his next start he was up to 115 pitches in 5.2 innings – allowing only 4 runs. Last night Justin Verlander was dominating the Mariners, but he had to be pulled after 6 innings because he was up to 105 pitches – due primarily to K’ing 11.
MLB as we know it has changed due to the efforts of the MBA front offices and the owners wanting more glitz to attract those Americans younger then 45 – most of whom did not play baseball sunup to sundown, mainly they played it on a computer. They want to see a version of Home Run Derby / Strikeout Derby between the time they’re looking at their smartphones. To make inroads into their limited attention span, the ball has been juiced and the HR distances have been shortened (Altuve homered for the 5th straight game – maybe the 3rd guy to do that in the 3 week season, and multiple guys have other homer streaks). It will be a miracle if the Phillies don’t break the team HR record this year in their Little League park.
This is not sour grapes. This is the way it is. MLB has changed – HR,K,or W is here; and it’s not by accident. Starting Pitchers going 5 innings will become the norm. Scores will be astronomical as bullpens cannot possibly handle the additional load of innings. The problem with all this……
HR’s are exciting when it’s something special. But when anything special becomes the norm, people tend to lose interest.
Little League park? Sour grapes, stupidity, the realization of actually being a Mets fan, whatever works best for you…
stjohnhalfpenny;
Stupidity?
I think not.
Been watching MLB over 60 years. This is worse then the steroid era. Mike Schmidt referred to the Phillies park as “Arena Baseball”.
Today, Freddy Galvis hit his 5th HR of the season. On April 14. Freddy Galvis.
P.S. Like the Mets a lot this year. But am not a Mets fan.
Well said Mr. Dylan. The biggest difference between today’s pitching philosophy and when Maddux took the hill is the maximum velocity approach. How many pitchers would you say could consistently throw 100mph back in the early 90’s? 5 would be my guess and most of them were in the Reds bullpen. It seems like every team has 2 or 3 that break 100mph regularly now. Back then most starters were expected to be pitchers. Guys like Maddux, Glavine, Drabek, and Saberhagen pitched in the 92-94mph range and were some of the best of the day. Today’s best starters guys like DeGrom, Kershaw, Severino, Sale, Syndergaard and Verlander are all in the 95-98mph range. Even though they have great command and control they are still known more for being overpowering than masters of location like Maddux. Comparing the 2 generations is useless because both eras had an entirely different approach to pitching with an approach to coaching that matched.
Lots of double negatives braces fan. Simplify it. The Mets will not sign for help. Your braces are fine. Robbie Cano slide begins imminently.
There is my favorite troll!!! I hope your fibromyalgia is getting better. Unfortunately can’t say the same for your stankees. I’m sure you hear that big clock ticking letting you know it’s only a matter of time before Severino is shut down for good and TJ on the way. Enjoy your team this year though bud 🙂
His fibromyalgia may be better, but his tourettes is in full bloom
mikeyank55 another day another failed troll attempt. Go back to your room nutcase.
Not even a safe bet that they’d finish as the best rotation from a state bordering Lake Erie this season.
If y’all read my comment, I said “could” lol meaning, it isn’t the best, but simply could be. Top to bottom, that would be the best rotation by far in today’s game. I’m a huge braves fan, but I’m definitely realistic
The problem is, what you’re insisting people accept is factually wrong.
“that would be the best rotation by far in today’s game”
Again, it might not even be the best on Lake Erie this year. So, no.
Lmao Dallas would be horrible for the Mets contact pitchers don’t fair well in Citi field
The problem with signing Keuchel is twofold…..
1. How he’ll pitch.
The guy won’t be ready to contribute fully until June 1. Any starts he has before then are going to be his Spring Training. Problem is, the results of those starts count in the standings. Additionally, as he builds up arm strength he taxes an already overworked bullpen to take more innings.
2. His contract.
He is not signing for one year. He wants 5, will probably get 4, and might settle for 3. But the less years, the higher AAV he’ll want. So $15m a year might even be a bit low. Now the rub……
2a. The Mets will almost surely need bullpen help this year (all bullpens in MLB are being stretched as starters are now running up pitch counts and lasting for less and less innings). Keuchel pretty much takes any money they have in reserve for 2019.
2b. Wheeler is a FA after the season. He is just hitting stride (as is Matz). Signing Keuchel for multiple years means that the reality is that one of Wheeler, Matz, or Syndergaard is gone after the season…..Mets will not be able to afford them all.
Did Bartolo retire yet?
I’ll give him 1/19.5
The back end of the Met’s rotation is non existent. Seeing they’re in win now mode, signing Keuchel should be a priority.
Wonder if the Mets would be interested in Teheran (2/23) or Gausman (9.5 + arb 2/3) since the Braves have written off 2019. Braves Would swap either for Nimmo or Conforto.
I don’t think either team would want to make a move like that. And I don’t understand why you think the braves have written off 2019.
Question, not sure if it’s already been addressed: What are the chances that something other than/in addition to money/draft picks explain Keuchel and Kimbrel situation? Collusion? “Clubhouse cancer”? Or is it really just plain old stubbornness holding out for mo money? And how do we know?
No crazy conspiracies needed, their situation is very simale
1 – they priced themselves out of the market, asking for more money/years than teams could/would give
2 – compensation attached
3 – teams moving towards more in house, young (iow, DP) options than continue to get burned by high priced FAs
4 – both show red flags in their recent performance
#4 is important here and it makes the likelihood a team will regret a longer term/higher dollar commitment that much higher. Why take that risk on 4 years at full market price, plus give up a DP, just to try and squeeze them into your budget?
+1
Yeah I get all that. Which is why I raised my question.
And to think they could have had Gio for next to nothing but instead stuck with Vargas…..
People gloss over the 2014 Tigers with FOUR Cy Young award winners and the 5th guy won an ERA title the year before
It’s Lugo Time!!!
Unfortunately, I traveled from Tennessee to Atlanta to see VARGAS & DEGROM pitch. 2nd Year in a row. I’m 0-4 for that ballpark. How is it possible that VARGAS is still on the roster ?? After we were able to come back to tie in his horrific start, we still choked. DFA !! Now !!!