Yardbarker: Jason Vargas

Think Low budget on the pen....

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:01:50 -0500

After two years of extremely inconsistent pitching from the corps of relievers in the bullpen, it appears Omar isn't willing to spend big money to solve the problem. Most of us are hoping to see the Mets sign Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz or Brandon Lyon but just as some of us were disappointed to see ...

Vargas poised for a role next year......

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:25:11 -0500

The first thing that comes to most Mets fans minds when they hear the name Jason Vargas is Matt Lindstrom. Vargas over the past two years has made two starts ( 10 innings) with an ERA of 12.19, if I rem. correctly he was a reliever in AAA during the 2007 season and when he came up for those starts he was solid through the first four innings then got rocked in the 5-6th innings. In 2008 he missed the entire season after under going hip surgery during spring training. Meanwhile, Matt Lindstrom in 66 relief appearances posted a 3.14 ERA last year and will become the Marlins official closer as soon as they trade Kevin Gregg.

I've cautioned Mets fans for some time now to not consider Vargas a bust, in my opinion there's just too much potential. The 25 y/o left hander was the 68th overall draft pick in the 2004 draft. That was the same draft that produced Philip Humber, Phil Hughes, Glen Perkins, Jared Weaver, Justin Verlander, Homer Bailey and Matt Bush ( to name a few- it was very good pitchers draft).

Most of that class started coming up in 2007 or 2008, Vargas was rushed up in 2005 at 22 y/o while still in his first season of AA. During that season in the majors he appeared in 17 games ( 13 starts) going 5-5 with a 4.03 ERA. Jon Niese was put in the same situation ( age and professional experience) and in three starts went 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA.

The next year the expectations were very high for Vargas who was penciled in as a member of the rotation. That was the same year Joe Girardi got his first shot as a manager, one of the initial knocks on Girardi was that he was quick to make judgements on players and once you were out, you were out. Clearly Vargas ended up being an odd man out on a very short leash and wasn't used properly that year. It was like Pelfrey's 2007 season but without staff support to provide consistency and allow him to develop through his struggles. He had a horrible 2006 and was traded to the Mets prior to 2007, at the time of the trade I completed this bio....

Aside from his two starts for the Mets he spent the entire 2007 season in AAA where he went 9-7 with an ERA of 4.97 in 24 starts. At the end of the season he had bone spurs removed from his pitching elbow and then as I said before lost the entire season to a hip injury.

Omar usually carries 4-5 lefties on the pitching staff; two starters and 2-3 relievers. The Mets appear to be losing four lefties; Ollie, Wags, Schoneweis and Feliciano. Newsday reported today that the Mets are shopping the two lefty relievers and I'm not confident in Ollie's return.

The reports about Vargas from the AFL have been very good, with all the lefties potentially leaving he is in the drivers seat for a spot on the team. If he makes it this wouldn't be the first time he rebounded from pitching struggles ( in the above linked bio). Paul Greco of Gotham Baseball Magazine was on assignment to the AFL and spoke with several scouts, apparently the Mets are thinking about the possibilities of using Jason Vargas.......

P a?" Jason Vargas : Recovering from hip surgery, Jason Vargas looked in mid-season form. The AFL's Pitcher of the Week for Week 3, Vargas looked like a man among boys. Scouts told me that his command and his fast ball looked better than it did prior to his injury. I was also told that because of the way Vargas has been pitching in the AFL, the Mets may not look to retain free-agent Oliver Perez. Vargas is a pitcher many Mets fans should keep an eye on this off season. source Gotham Baseball Magazine

Minor grumblings....

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:01:27 -0500

Here's a few interesting items I've come across over the past few days in regards to the farm system......

John Strubel of New York Mets Daily has a great interview with Bobby Parnell. By the way look at who he credits with helping him adjust, the same guy most of us want off the team while we scream for veteran leadership ( I'm so confused)....

"Joe Smith, Mike Pelfrey, Marlon Anderson, they'll all reach out and help you."

Josh Thompson of Lo Hud Journal takes a close look at Eddie Kunz's struggles for two seasons in the AFL along with his shacky starts in AAA and the majors. Also linked is a very foretelling draft report summary.......

In case you missed it Adam Rubin of the Daily News vistited Peoria and has three excellent interviews with Dan Murphy, Eddie Kunz, and Josh Thole.

Meanwhile Toby Hyde at Mets Minor league ball tells us how good Brad Holt's fastball is, F-Mart is off to a hot winter and Jason Vargas is player of the week...

Another great interview was found by Metsblog's Regis Courtemanche from Dave Brown at Yahoo.sports of Fernando Tatis and his inspirational comeback along with how he's doing in winter ball.

Finally Marty Noble of MLB.com in his mailbag reminds us just how important all these winter numbers are, when addressing a question about the hot starts Jason Vargas and Tony Armas Jr are having in Fall/Winter Ball......

If either is in the rotation when the Mets begin their '09 season, it will mean the club has neglected to fill the voids in the rotation. Please don't trust the Arizona Fall League or winter ball. Perfomance in neither is any sort of indication of how a player will perform in the big leagues. Vargas and Armas, if they are back at all, will be what they were last season, Minor League insurance against injury to a starter on the big league roster. source MLB.com

Another Met doing well in AFL

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:37:59 -0500

We've all heard about how well David Murphy and Shawn Bowman are doing in the Arizona Fall League but interestingly enough there is another Met who is also shining in Peoria.
Mets LHP Jason Vargas, who is rehabbing from a lost 2008 season, had yet to
allow an earned run in 7 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out six. source MiLB.com
Jason Vargas missed the entire 2008 season, he entered spring training recovering from surgery to his pitching elbow to remove a bone spur and then went down to a hip injury.

Omar detractors point to the Lindstrom/Owens for Vargas/Bostick as one of his biggest failures. And while it sure would have been nice having Lindstrom closing games this year both relievers have had injuries and control problems which was the book on them. The two lefty starters have struggled since becoming Mets but are still young and the verdict (IMO) is still out on them.

In 2007 as a starter in AAA Vargas went 9-7 ( 24 starts) with an ERA of 4.97. It was his second year in AAA, the year before he was demoted to the Marlins affiliate. In 2005 the 23 y/o, who had never been above AA was rushed into the Marlins rotation going 5-5 with a 4.03 ERA in 17 starts. But 2006 was a struggle for Vargas and he ended up bounced from the rotation, to the pen and finally in the minors. He's only spot started for the Mets before losing last year to injuries. I admit that I thought he was going to be a good starter for us and completed this full bio post on him for those interested.......

AFL Update: Vargas pitches three hitless innings

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:16:43 -0500

Mets left hander Jason Vargas, who tossed 3 2/3 shutout innings to pick up the win. Vargas did not allow a hit and struck out two batters.

Murphy, Parnell, Vargas shine in Fall League

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:29:45 -0500

Mets infielder Daniel Murphy blasted a two-run home run Friday night for the Peoria Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.

Murphy, Vargas, Kunz debut in Arizona Fall League

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:37:29 -0500

Daniel Murphy, Eddie Kunz and Jason Vargas made their debuts Tuesday for the Peoria Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.

Mets Send 7 players to Arizona Fall League!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:06:52 -0500

Seven Mets players; Daniel Murphy, pitchers Eddie Kunz, Tobi Stoner, Bobby Parnell, Jason Vargas, infielder Shawn Bowman, and catcher Josh Thole, were assigned to play in the Arizona Fall League.

Their team, the Peoria Saguaros, starts play tomorrow and runs until November 20th.

Interesting to note, Daniel Murphy is listed as a first baseman on the team's roster.

Source:Metsblog.com

Mets looking good in AFL debut

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:50:03 -0500

Last night was the season opener for the Arizona Fall league, four of the five Mets assigned to the league played and all had good nights.

The Mets play for the Peoria Saguaros ( pronounced "sah-wah-roh" which is a large cactus) who won their season opener by the score of 9-3.

Dan Murphy played second base and hit second in the order, Murph went 2-4 with a run scored and a sac fly RBI while striking out twice.

Shawn Bowman who was a rising star at one point but had his career stalled due to significant injuries is back on track. Bowman played third base and went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jason Vargas missed the entire season after hip surgery, in returning to action last night he pitched a scoreless inning allowing three hits.

Tobi Stoner earned the win going two innings in which he allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out two.

Eddie Kunz pitched the ninth and while it wasn't a save opportunity he held the opposition scoreless and struck out two while giving up a hit and a walk.

For the complete box score.....

Mets Send 7 players to Arizona Fall League!

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:52:14 -0500

Looking at the roster....

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:53:35 -0500

Ok, here's a closer look at the 40 man roster, without changing the core of the team there will still be a significant change to the roster......

Free agents this year:

Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, Orlando Hernandez, Luis Ayala, Nelson Figueroa, Brandon Knight, Ricardo Rincon, Al Reyes, Tony Armas, Matt Wise,

Damion Easley, Fernando Tatis, Moises Alou, Gustavo Molina, Ramon Martinez, Argenis Reyes, Trot Nixon

Option Year:

Carlos Delgado

Under Contract:

Johan Santana, Scott Schoeneweis, Mike Pelfrey, Billy Wagner ( 60 day)

Brian Schneider, Ramon Castro, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Marlon Anderson, Carlos Beltran, Endy Chavez

Arbitration years:

John Maine, Ryan Church, Angel Pagan, Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano

Under Control(option players):

Adam Bostick, Ambiorix Burgos, Eddie Kunz, Carlos Muniz, Jonathan Niese, Bobby Parnell, Joe Smith, Jason Vargas, Nick Evans, Daniel Murphy

Of the group of free agents the only ones I see that have a chance of getting a major league contract is Luis Ayala, Tatis and maybe Damion Easley. The rest will move on or get minor league deals with invites, I believe Ollie will out price himself. As they already indicated Delgado will be pick-up. Those under contract Castillo, Anderson and Schoenweis have to go and I could see one of the catchers moving for a more durable or offensive minded player. Arby player, Heilman has to be moved and Sanchez might go as well.

When all is said and done under my estimation 14 players without options will be returning with the 10 option players on the 40 man roster. So with Santana, Maine, Pelfrey, Feliciano, Ayala, Delgado, Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Church, Pagan, Tatis, Chavez, Schnieder staying and Castro, Sanchez and Easley on the ropes. That doesn't include guys like Smith, Parnell, Murphy, Evans and Niese who have options but could or will make the team. Even without making a drastic move the Mets roster this year will look significantly different.

If the Mets are for real it's time to beat their best, Zambrano

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:43:37 -0500

The Mets won last night and it was because Santana put his best effort forward. Tonight the Mets will have O.P. vs Carlos Zambrano...

Perez's Breakdown:

Next Game: 9/24 vs. CHC (Scheduled Next Start: 9/24 vs. CHC)
	G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Career vs. CHC	7	7	1	3	0	0	0	38.0	43	21	21	8	23	45	4.97	1.74	.293
Home (this year)	15	15	4	2	0	0	0	86.1	66	47	41	12	44	91	4.27	1.27	.212
Grass (this year)	32	32	10	7	0	0	0	184.1	157	93	84	23	97	168	4.10	1.38	.232

Zambrano's Breakdown:

Next Game: 9/24 vs. NYM (Scheduled Next Start: 9/24 vs. NYM)
	G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Last game vs. NYM		1	1	0	0	0	0	7.0	5	1	1	0	2	4	1.29	1.00	.227
Career vs. NYM	7	6	4	1	0	0	0	37.0	28	14	12	4	20	27	2.92	1.30	.214
Away (this year)	13	13	7	4	0	1	1	86.0	75	37	36	4	38	66	3.77	1.31	.231
Grass (this year)	28	28	14	5	0	1	1	177.1	162	75	73	17	64	126	3.70	1.27	.242

Perez's Career vs Cubs Hitters:

OPPOSING HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Derrek Lee	11	2	1	0	1	2	4	3	.182	.400	.545	.945
Aramis Ramirez	11	4	0	0	0	1	0	3	.364	.417	.364	.780
Alfonso Soriano	10	2	0	0	0	0	1	4	.200	.273	.200	.473
Jim Edmonds	8	3	0	0	1	2	1	1	.375	.444	.750	1.194
Jason Marquis	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	.143	.143	.143	.286
Mark DeRosa	6	3	2	0	0	2	0	1	.500	.500	.833	1.333
Carlos Zambrano	6	1	0	0	0	1	1	3	.167	.286	.167	.452
Jon Lieber	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	.500	.000	.500
Totals	60	16	3	0	2	8	8	21	.267	.362	.417	.779

Zambrano's Career vs Mets Hitters:

OPPOSING HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Endy Chavez	19	6	1	1	1	5	1	2	.316	.350	.632	.982
Ryan Church	17	4	2	0	0	1	0	5	.235	.235	.353	.588
Carlos Delgado	16	4	0	0	1	4	6	1	.250	.478	.438	.916
Jose Reyes	16	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	.188	.188	.250	.438
Carlos Beltran	13	1	0	0	1	2	6	0	.077	.368	.308	.676
Brian Schneider	13	4	2	0	0	1	2	4	.308	.471	.462	.932
David Wright	13	2	0	0	0	2	3	5	.154	.294	.154	.448
Luis Castillo	12	6	0	0	0	1	7	0	.500	.684	.500	1.184
Marlon Anderson	12	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	.083	.154	.083	.237
Damion Easley	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.167	.167	.167	.333
Oliver Perez	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Ramon Martinez	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Ramon Castro	4	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	.250	.250	1.000	1.250
~~Moises Alou~~	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.333	.500	.333	.833
Trot Nixon	3	1	0	0	1	3	0	0	.333	.333	1.333	1.667
~~Fernando Tatis~~	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Nelson Figueroa	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Jason Vargas	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Orlando Hernandez	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
John Maine	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Tony Armas	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	170	37	6	1	5	21	27	31	.218	.333	.353	.686

It's up to Perez to keep this one close and see if the Mets can score against Zambrano!!

If the Mets are for real it's time to beat their best, Zambrano

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:00:27 -0500

The Mets won last night and it was because Santana put his best effort forward. Tonight the Mets will have O.P. vs Carlos Zambrano...

Perez's Breakdown:

Next Game: 9/24 vs. CHC (Scheduled Next Start: 9/24 vs. CHC)
	G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Career vs. CHC	7	7	1	3	0	0	0	38.0	43	21	21	8	23	45	4.97	1.74	.293
Home (this year)	15	15	4	2	0	0	0	86.1	66	47	41	12	44	91	4.27	1.27	.212
Grass (this year)	32	32	10	7	0	0	0	184.1	157	93	84	23	97	168	4.10	1.38	.232

Zambrano's Breakdown:

Next Game: 9/24 vs. NYM (Scheduled Next Start: 9/24 vs. NYM)
	G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Last game vs. NYM		1	1	0	0	0	0	7.0	5	1	1	0	2	4	1.29	1.00	.227
Career vs. NYM	7	6	4	1	0	0	0	37.0	28	14	12	4	20	27	2.92	1.30	.214
Away (this year)	13	13	7	4	0	1	1	86.0	75	37	36	4	38	66	3.77	1.31	.231
Grass (this year)	28	28	14	5	0	1	1	177.1	162	75	73	17	64	126	3.70	1.27	.242

Perez's Career vs Cubs Hitters:

OPPOSING HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Derrek Lee	11	2	1	0	1	2	4	3	.182	.400	.545	.945
Aramis Ramirez	11	4	0	0	0	1	0	3	.364	.417	.364	.780
Alfonso Soriano	10	2	0	0	0	0	1	4	.200	.273	.200	.473
Jim Edmonds	8	3	0	0	1	2	1	1	.375	.444	.750	1.194
Jason Marquis	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	.143	.143	.143	.286
Mark DeRosa	6	3	2	0	0	2	0	1	.500	.500	.833	1.333
Carlos Zambrano	6	1	0	0	0	1	1	3	.167	.286	.167	.452
Jon Lieber	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	.500	.000	.500
Totals	60	16	3	0	2	8	8	21	.267	.362	.417	.779

Zambrano's Career vs Mets Hitters:

OPPOSING HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Endy Chavez	19	6	1	1	1	5	1	2	.316	.350	.632	.982
Ryan Church	17	4	2	0	0	1	0	5	.235	.235	.353	.588
Carlos Delgado	16	4	0	0	1	4	6	1	.250	.478	.438	.916
Jose Reyes	16	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	.188	.188	.250	.438
Carlos Beltran	13	1	0	0	1	2	6	0	.077	.368	.308	.676
Brian Schneider	13	4	2	0	0	1	2	4	.308	.471	.462	.932
David Wright	13	2	0	0	0	2	3	5	.154	.294	.154	.448
Luis Castillo	12	6	0	0	0	1	7	0	.500	.684	.500	1.184
Marlon Anderson	12	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	.083	.154	.083	.237
Damion Easley	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.167	.167	.167	.333
Oliver Perez	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Ramon Martinez	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Ramon Castro	4	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	.250	.250	1.000	1.250
~~Moises Alou~~	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.333	.500	.333	.833
Trot Nixon	3	1	0	0	1	3	0	0	.333	.333	1.333	1.667
~~Fernando Tatis~~	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Nelson Figueroa	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Jason Vargas	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Orlando Hernandez	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
John Maine	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Tony Armas	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	170	37	6	1	5	21	27	31	.218	.333	.353	.686

It's up to Perez to keep this one close and see if the Mets can score against Zambrano!!

How room was made...call ups...

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:43:46 -0500

As expected the Mets recalled pitchers Ricardo Rincon, Carlos Muniz, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Al Reyes, along with position players Ramon Martinez, Gustavo Molina and Argenis Reyes. They also decided to bring up pitcher Brandon Knight and activate Marlon Anderson from the DL. To make room for the players not already on the 40 man roster they moved Orlando Hernandez, Jason Vargas, Matt Wise and Trot Nixon to the 60 day DL. The only player's currently on the the 40 man roster, who aren't on the DL or recalled are Eddie Kunz, Adam Bostick and either Lugo or Collazo. Bostick finished the season on the minor league DL and I'm surprised they didn't place him on the 60 day DL to make room. Kunz didn't appear ready and I think they could have removed him from the roster without risk because players with under three years professional experience don't have to be protected on the roster. The only surprise is Trot Nixon I expected him up to provide veteran leadership and a pinch hit bat, his rehab seemed to go very well in AAA. For the last roster spot they designated a player for assignment, MLB.com reports that player to be Willie Collazo while Adam Rubin says it's Ruddy Lugo...

Brandon Knight has been added to the Mets' list of call-ups. He'll likely arrive near the first pitch of today's game against the Brewers because of the late decision.
The Mets designated Ruddy Lugo for assignment to clear roster room. source Daily News

Fantasy Baseball: Meet the Mets, Erasing the Clowns

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:50:46 -0500

The Mets may have stunned the Major League baseball and fantasy landscape when they traded for Johan Santana, they were also about to throw an ace pitcher under the radar. Sure, replacing Tom Glavine with Johan Santana, perhaps the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, is a big upgrade, but the most under-looked hurler entering the 2008 season is the re-addition of a healthy Pedro Martinez into the Mets rotation. Since Pedro only pitched in 5 games last season, the Mets were without their best starting pitcher for nearly all of 2007. One has to project that a moderately healthy Martinez will pitch 25-30 games (between 140 and 170 IP) in 2008. Still not convinced that adding around 160 innings of Pedro Martinez is a huge addition? Well, let's take a look at the pitchers who occupied his slot in the rotation in 2007.