N.Y. Mets: Jason Vargas is a Sensible Acquisition

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

First Word: Year Sixteen After Doubleday 

Previously: The Five Hurlers of the Metropolis

New York Mets: Addition of Jason Vargas Suddenly Gives Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz Something Else to Think About.

I) - Why did Jason Vargas become available?

The Kansas City Royals signed him as a free agent entering 2014 to a four-year $32 million dollar contract.  

He completed a full compliment of thirty starts during his first season with the Royals, posting an 11-10 record with a 3.71 ERA and a slightly problematic 1.273 WHiP. 

Then in the summer of 2015, he blew out the UCL in his left elbow in mid-July requiring Tommy John surgery, from which he returned in September 2016.

Last year, he made a full compliment of 32 starts again, posted a career best 18-11 record but with a 4.16 ERA, and an elevated 1.330 WHiP in 179.2 innings pitched.  He started strong, going 12-3 with a 2.22 ERA through June.  From July 5 through Sept. 5, however, Vargas went just 2-7 and saw his ERA spike to a 4.23 mark.  Over his final five starts of the season, Vargas finished 4-1 with 3.79 ERA, while surrendering 22 hits, fanning 24 batters and walking twelve over his last 26.1 innings pitched.

He turned 35-years old this month, and so Kansas City granted Vargas his free agency in November.  On Feb.18 he signed with the Mets for two years (with a club option) for the same yearly $8 million dollar salary he earned during his final season with the  Royals.

II) - What does his acquisition mean for the Mets?

Even I have to admit, Jason Vargas adds needed veteran rotation depth, on a short term deal and at a very reasonable price.

Vargas mainly brings a measure of competition for the fourth and fifth spots in the starting rotation.  Several pitchers, namely Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz (and Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo, Rafael Montero), maybe find themselves needing to reprove themselves in the eyes of new manager Mickey Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland - which is not a bad thing.

And he's left-handed!  Can't have too many of those.  Vargas and Matz now give the Mets two potential southpaws in the rotation.  That could mean Zack Wheeler opens the season in the bullpen.  But this is a good problem for Coach Callaway to have.  Wheeler, though, has his own work cut out for him.  He needs to cut down on his walks, and address his overall WHiP.  He surrendered 97 hits (15 home runs) and issued 40 walks in just 86.1 innings pitched last season.

Otherwise, let the better pitchers with the jobs.

That's what Spring Training is for.

According to Fangraphs his fly ball/to ground out ratio leveled out after arriving at Kansas City, where as he previously was categorized as more a fly ball pitcher.  In 2014 (the season prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery) his fastball clocked in 87.3 mph, and his change-up came in at 80.4 mph.  Last season (his first full season post recovery) his fastball was clocked at 85.6 mph, while his change-up came in at 79.5 mph.

Moreover, last season he threw his fastball a career low 40.7 percent of the time, where as he relied on his change-up a career high 20.3 percent of the time.

He additionally only mixes in a curveball about nine percent of the time, and so his lack of a representative fastball concerns me.  Perhaps he adds a change of pace considering the Mets rotation mainly features hard-throwers, but that remains to be seen.

In any event, this is where Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland come in.  They're being paid to help these pitchers realize their potentials.