CBS’ Scott Miller writes about the Mets “desperate” search for starting pitching. Read the column at CBS Sportline.
Miller always has a negative slant against the Mets but it’s hard to dispute his take on the Mets rotation right now. Signing Claudio Vargas is really scraping the bottom of the pitching barrel.
Multiple media sources are reporting that the Mets have signed former Milwaukee Brewer Claudio Vargas to a minor league contract. As I posted when Vargas was released by the Brewers, he was with Omar Minaya in Montreal and is a good risk as a substitute starting pitcher. With Pedro Martinez and El Duque both on the disabled list, it’s a good idea to stockpile some potential replacements. We’ll see one of them tomorrow night as Nelson Figueroa gets a start against the Brewers.
The Post is reporting that the Mets offered Claudio Vargas a minor league deal with the news of El Duque’s rehab setback today.
It’s a good move for the Mets as insurance. Right now, the Mets need all of the starting pitching options that they can get.
David Lennon of Newsday reports that Omar Minaya has been talking about a possible contract offer to former Brewers pitcher Claudio Vargas. Lennon reports that Vargas’ agent Brian Stringfellow had this to say:
“Omar, to his credit, has been very upfront with me and I appreciate the Mets’ candor,” Stringfellow said. “What I’m hearing from that situation, it just doesn’t jibe. I’m trying to get Claudio in the right situation, not a quick situation.”
Stringfellow sounds like he’s looking for the best scenario for Vargas to get a spot in the rotation. Vargas would probably only be a temporary solution for the Mets.
Apparently, Minaya is also looking at the Robinson Tejada who was recently designated for assignment by the Rangers. The scary thing about him is that the Rangers are giving up on his potential and they haven’t had decent pitching this decade.
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The Mets should know the status of Pedro’s injury by this afternoon. The Mets front office is reported to be actively looking at options to replace him in the starting rotations. The options reportedly include players currently under contract such as Nelson Figueroa, the recently waived Brian Stokes, and Jorge Sosa.
There are also free agent possibilities such as Claudio Vargas and Jeff Weaver.
We should get some news soon.
Olney talks about the possibilities for replacing Pedro Martinez.
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3324920
Claudio Vargas was released and received termination pay today by the Brewers. He might be an option for the fifth starter for the Mets if he would agree to a minor league contract. Omar Minaya know him from Montreal where he pitched from 2003-2004. Last season Vargas pitched in 29 games, 23 of which were starts. He’s not going to light the world on fire but he may be able to compete for the fifth starter in the rotation. Certainly, Mike Pelfrey and Orlando Hernandez haven’t sewn that position up.
Vargas is 30 years old, 6’3″, 220 lbs. For his 5 year major league career he’s 43-38 5.09 ERA.
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The Mets Report 