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The Mets have signed free-agent lefty Jason Vargas to a two-year, $16 million deal with a club option for 2020, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Sources: Mets and Jason Vargas have a deal pending physical
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 16, 2018
Vargas’ deal includes incentives based on innings pitched, with the third-year option being valued at $8 million. He’s the latest starter to sign a deal in recent days, joining new Oriole Andrew Cashner and new Blue Jay Jaime Garcia.
The Mets were rumored to have a strong interest in the 35-year-old, and have decided to bring in the veteran lefty to give some stability to a rotation that was obliterated by injury last season. Ace Jacob deGrom was the only starter left standing for the Mets by the time the 2017 season was over.
Vargas was solid in the first half of 2017, earning the first All-Star selection of his career thanks to a 2.62 ERA. However, he fell off a bit down the stretch and finished the season with a 4.16 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.
Should Vargas be in the Opening Day rotation, he will join Steven Matz as the team’s current southpaw starters.