Vargas, baby!
Fans might still be clamoring for the big move, but the Dodgers made a smaller one to add depth to the pitching staff, signing 30-year-old righty Claudio Vargas to a one-year deal. Vargas has distinguished himself over his 164 major league games (including 114 starts) by a steadfast commitment to total ordinariness, but, if nothing else, he can both start and relieve, giving the Dodgers another option in the 'pen or at the back of the rotation.
As you were.
Click below for the press release.
BK
DODGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH PITCHER CLAUDIO VARGAS ON ONE-YEAR DEAL
LOS ANGELES – The National League West Division Champion Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that they have agreed to terms with veteran right-handed starter Claudio Vargas on a one-year contract. General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.
“Claudio provides us with Major League experience and versatility,” Colletti said. “He's won at the major league level and he can start or work out of the bullpen if necessary.”
Vargas pitched for the Mets last season, going 3-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 11 games (four starts). From 2005-07, the right-hander averaged nearly 11 wins per season and won a career high 12 with Arizona in 2006. The native of the Dominican Republic went 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA in 2007, his last full season and only year with Milwaukee. The Brewers were 16-7 in his 23 starts during the 2007 campaign.
After coming up through the Marlins’ system, Vargas reached the Major Leagues with Montreal in 2003 and appeared in 72 games for the Expos-Nationals franchise from 2003-05. The right-hander was picked up by Arizona in the middle of 2005 and went 21-17 for the Diamondbacks over the next two seasons.
This winter, Vargas has been sharp for Aguilas del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, going 3-1 with a 4.02 ERA (14 ER/31.1 IP) and 31 strikeouts in six starts. The right-hander will be added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
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Posted by: K2 | January 05, 2009 at 06:46 PM
I thought this was done last week. I guess this is the official announcement. It's my understanding that this is a non-guaranteed contract. Probably just to provide some competition in spring training, and it gives them a big league experienced pitcher that they can stash at AAA for emergencies during the season. Maybe he could even be used as fodder to fill out a multi-player deal. Stranger things have happened, but I don't expect to see him in a Dodger uniform come opening day.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | January 05, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Brooklyn-
Maybe it did. It's VERY possible I missed this game changer in all the Boston-Lakers hubbub. Or any hubbub, really. Or even hub. Or just bub.
BK
Posted by: kambrothers | January 05, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Claudio Vargas--2009's Chan Ho Park. Let's hope he produces the same results. (With my apologies to Brooklyn Dodger, I fully expect him to fill the role filled by Chan Ho last year, namely the "swing man" who can bounce back and forth between the rotation and the bull-pen and eat 4 innings in a blowout. At least, I'm betting that's what Ned is counting on.)
Posted by: dodgerskip | January 05, 2009 at 08:19 PM
This 'news' doesn't even rate a discussion. Just someone invited to try out. YAWN
David
Posted by: David s | January 05, 2009 at 08:28 PM
OMG! We got Major League experience AND versatility all rolled into one! I can't wait!
Posted by: Dominic | January 05, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Wilson Alvarez, Aaron Sele, Chan Ho Park...
These types of low risk signings of bottom of the rotation guys have paid dividends in the past
Posted by: Frank | January 06, 2009 at 04:37 AM
What happens in Vargas stays in Vargas?
Posted by: poppinfresh | January 06, 2009 at 07:01 AM
I'm sorry, I can't share all the giddy excitement you guys are showing for the Vargas signing. LOL
I agree with Brooklyn Dodger, he is spring training fodder. I am betting we have a AA or AAA farmhand that can do the same things and be on the way up, not down.
Does anyone think that McDonald will not be with the club in April or May?
Posted by: Jack in DC | January 06, 2009 at 08:29 AM
I believe McDonald will be with the Dodgers. Also, and Torre might not agree with me, but I'd put Eric Stults in front of Vargas.
poppinfresh,
I assume you were alluding to Las Vegas. FYI, for 2009 the Dodgers AAA affiliate will be back in Alburquerque.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | January 06, 2009 at 08:50 AM
From out of the east he came... A versatile journeyman on the versatile journey of a lifetime... In the proud tradition of Scott Erickson, Mark Hendrickson, Elmer Dessens and Esteban Loaiza comes...
CLAUDIOOOOOO VARGAAAAAAAS!
Posted by: Eric B. | January 06, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Now come on guys give this dude a chance, he might just turn out better than the town drunk Lowe or the ever injured and crying Penny.
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | January 06, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Not quite the same class as Hendrickson and Loaiza. Both of those were over paid for, either in cash or by means of giving up players. Erickson, Sele, Park, Sturtze, Dessens -- all pretty much the same gamble with different results. Low dollars invested in case the move doesn't pay off.
Those names said, the one they tried this with that really paid big dividends was Beimel. Picked him up for next to nothing after he left the Pirates.
Posted by: dalegribel | January 06, 2009 at 01:27 PM
A 4.02 era is "sharp"????
Posted by: Mike G | January 06, 2009 at 02:59 PM
I haven't seen anything about the Vargas contract being non-guaranteed. What I've read is that the ML minimum of $400k is guaranteed, and that there are $1.4M in incentives. That's not a horrible deal at all, but it's also not just an invite to spring training.
Posted by: Valmont | January 06, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Looks like the Indians just rolled the dice on Pavano. Not that I think the Blue should've done that, but they got him on a very club-friendly contract, so it's possible that Sheets could be signed for a club-friendly deal as well.
Posted by: Valmont | January 06, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Jayson Stark over at the unreliable ESPN states today:
"...the Dodgers to turn their attention away from Ramirez and back to the bullpen market, where they're pursuing a group that includes Trevor Hoffman, Juan Cruz, Dennys Reyes and Guillermo Mota."
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | January 06, 2009 at 04:17 PM
This Vargas guy must have one hell of a haircut.
Posted by: SaMo | January 06, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Can somebody wake me when something relevant happens? About 5 weeks out from spring training and all we've signed is Blake, Loretta and Vargas? Still no name starter, reliever or Man-Ram yet?
Posted by: VA Dodger | January 06, 2009 at 08:53 PM