Dodger fans worldwide could hardly contain their unbridled elation following the blockbuster news that Dodger GM Ned Colletti, having missed out on signing CC Sabathia, today signed 30-year old Claudio Vargas, "in a move that could help [the Dodgers] restock their starting rotation." (I kid you not, this clause is taken straight from the dodgers.com article; I had to check the date to make sure it wasn't April 1 after I read the implausible text.)
The Dodgers, of course, are down two starting pitchers following the loss of Brad Penny and the imminent loss of Derek Lowe. Bring on the Vargas, says Ned!
What? You've never heard of Claudio Vargas? Well then maybe you've heard of his statistical peers, Paul Abbott, Jeff Robinson, and Steve Parris (the latter of which is not to be confused with the lead singer of Journey). Oh, Sherrie! But hey, let's welcome journeyman Vargas and his mediocre 4.62 ERA with the Mets last year, spanning a whopping 37 total innings pitched:
According to the report, Vargas will earn the Major League minimum salary of $400,000, but can add an additional $1.4 million with incentives.
Vargas' best season was with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, when he went 12-10 with a 4.83 ERA in a career-high 30 starts (plus one relief stint). He was part of a six-player trade between the D-backs and Brewers after that season and went 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA in 2007, then reported to camp in 2008 as one of five Brewers pitchers vying for three open spots in the starting rotation. The team reportedly reached a deal with free agent Claudio Vargas, a 30-year-old right-hander known for his deliberate pace, who twice was designated for assignment in 2008 after posting double-digit win totals the previous two seasons. The agreement was reported early Wednesday morning on the Los Angeles Times' Web site.
Yeah, I feel a hell of a lot better about our starting rotation now. In fact, I might as well pencil in Jason Schmidt for that last spot and call it a day.
Good hunting, Neddie.
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