Mets have eyes on vet Vargas to boost rotation
PORT ST. LUCIE — As the Mets continue their search for potential rotation insurance, a veteran left-hander is steady on their radar.
Jason Vargas, still jobless in this historically slow free- agent market, is high on the Mets’ list of potential additions, according to industry sources, as team officials consider options that won’t involve draft-pick compensation and loss of international bonus pool money.
Another pitcher the Mets had shown interest in, Jaime Garcia, agreed to terms Thursday with the Blue Jays on a one-year guaranteed deal worth $10 million, according to reports. Garcia’s deal includes a second-year option.
Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb, both of whom received qualifying offers last offseason, are among the pitchers that would cost the Mets a draft pick and international bonus pool money. Maybe the only way general manager Sandy Alderson would consider either would be if the asking price dropped to a point the Mets couldn’t resist.
The 35-year-old Vargas spent the last four seasons with the Royals under the tutelage of new Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland. Team off i cials are also comfortable with Vargas because of his link to the organization. He made two spot starts for the Mets in 2007, spending most of the season in Triple-A, and missed the 2008 season after surgery to repair a torn labrum. In December 2008, he was part of the trade that brought reliever J.J. Putz to the Mets from Seattle.
In 32 appearances last season, Vargas went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA and 1.330 WHIP. He was selected to his first All-Star team last season, after posting a 2.62 ERA in the first half.
The 31-year-old Garcia had interested the Mets because he can also work f rom t he bullpen. The former Cardinals pitcher spent last season with the Braves, Twins and Yankees.
In signing Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Adrian Gonzalez, Jose Reyes and Todd Frazier this offseason, the Mets have addressed their lineup and bullpen, but not the rotation. And there are concerns whether Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler, in particular, will hold up, as all three have spent extensive time on the disabled list in recent seasons.
The Mets also have Seth Lugo, who has been pitching through a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.
Last season, Alderson indicated the Mets would likely pursue a veteran starter over the winter to provide rotation insurance, but the general manager spent most of the offseason backtracking from that idea.
Now that pitchers and catchers have reported to camps and several veterans are still without jobs, Alderson could be prepared to make a value-based starting pitching addition.