SIGNING JUST MAKES SENSE

Vargas adds depth, competition to staff

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets added some insurance and some competition to their roster Friday. Taking advantage of a weak free-agent market, they agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with lefty Jason Vargas, a team source said.

With this move the Mets are hedging their bets. They are investing to keep their young starters healthy while inserting a little competition into spring training, with three pitchers now vying for the final two spots in the rotation.

While the deal is pending Vargas passing a physical, the impact of the news was immediate in the clubhouse Friday morning. Zack Wheeler, who is battling to prove he is healthy after 2015 Tommy John surgery, knew that the move put his hold on a starting spot, already a little shaky, even more into question.

“I’m just here to be a starting pitcher,” said Wheeler, who was visibly unhappy with the questions about his role going forward. “That’s what I’ve always been. That’s what I’m gonna be. When I’m healthy I know I’m just as good as anybody out there. So that’s what I’m concentrating on.” Now, Wheeler and others are in a battle for that spot in the rotation.

After Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and now Vargas, the Mets’ back of the rotation is suddenly looking crowded. The move puts Wheeler, who has made 17 starts since 2014, in a battle for one of the last two spots with Matt Harvey, still finding his way back from 2016 Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery, and Steven Matz, who has made just 41 starts in three years in the majors because of multiple injuries.

More competition can’t hurt the Mets, whose Achilles’ heel the last two seasons has been pitching injuries. While they have mulled a six-man rotation in the past to try and keep pitchers healthy, it is not something manager Mickey Callaway was contemplating Friday.

“Now that they’ve added more off days, that can be challenging to actually pitch six pitchers because then guys are pitching on their seventh day and things like that and that’s probably too long to keep guys in,” Callaway said, referring to the added off days this season under the new collective bargaining agreement. “I think what you can do is make sure you utilize those off days to rest guys properly and keep guys where they need to be physically so we can make it through the season.”

And that is the key to this move: keeping a competitive rotation healthy and on the mound through 162 games.

After watching two straight seasons go down the tubes because of injuries, the Mets needed insurance. The once-vaunted staff was among the worst in the majors last season, forced to rely on young pitchers who should have been in the minors or the bullpen. The slow free-agency market has given them a chance to add another starter late in the offseason at a team-friendly deal. While unable to comment on Vargas until the deal is made official, Callaway said he welcomed additional pitching — and additional competition in camp.

“I don’t think we’re penciling anybody in, I think everything is a competition and I think it always is and not just because we want to work guys and work toward something,” Callaway said. “I think guys that do things the right way and go about their business the right way, those are the types of players we want so everything is a competition.”

Vargas is coming off perhaps his best season, winning a career-high 18 games and notching a personal-best 134 strikeouts in 179 innings pitched over 32 starts for the Royals, where he worked with new Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland. After Tommy John surgery, he started 12-3 with a 2.62 ERA. He hit a wall in August, however, allowing eight home runs while going 1-5 in six starts.

What Callaway liked about Vargas from watching him as an opponent in the AL Central was that he competes.

“He can pitch,” said Callaway. “A guy that goes out there, does his job, tremendous teammate and he gave them fits when we were facing him in Cleveland.”

Now, Vargas provides a safeguard against injuries and prevents the rest of the rotation from becoming complacent this spring.