Vargas, Mets agree on deal

Turns out, the New York Mets were ready and willing to spend this winter. More than just a few bucks, too.

All-star pitcher Jason Vargas and the Mets agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract Friday, adding depth to a New York rotation that’s been riddled by injuries the past two seasons.

Another person familiar with the contract said it includes an $8 million club option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout, and Vargas can earn up to $1.5 million each year in performance bonuses. That person also spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced.

Vargas went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA for Kansas City last season, making his first all-star team and tying for the majorleague lead in wins. He faded in the second half, however, and the 35-year-old left-hander had been among more than 85 free agents seeking a job as spring training opened this week.

Two players lose: Pitchers Dan Straily of Miami and Brandon Maurer of Kansas City lost their salary arbitration cases, leaving players with an 11-10 lead with only Cincinnati second baseman Scooter Gennett awaiting a decision.

The 22 hearings are the most since players went 14-10 in 1990. Just five players settled among the 27 players who swapped proposed salaries with their teams last month.

Straily was awarded $3,375,000 instead of his $3.55 million request by arbitrators James Darby, Sylvia Skratek and Edna Francis, who heard the case Thursday. A 29-year-old right-hander, Straily was 10-9 with a 4.26 ERA in his first season after Miami acquired him from Cincinnati. He tied for the National League lead with 33 starts.

Straily was eligible for the first time after earning $552,100 last year.

Maurer will earn $2.95 million instead of his $3.5 million request in a decision by Matt Goldberg, Dan Brent and Jeanne Wood.

Gennett asked for a raise from $2,525,000 to $5.7 million, and the Reds argued for $5.1 million. A decision is expected Saturday.