Royals Rumors: Baltimore Orioles Interested in Jason Vargas

The most recent Royals rumors hint that the Baltimore Orioles might be interested in signing Jason Vargas.

There hasn’t been much chatter about the Kansas City Royals re-signing Jason Vargas this offseason, despite the fact the lefty led the Majors in wins with 18 in 2017.

Despite only appearing in 12 games in 2015 and 2016 combined due to injury, Vargas was effective when he did take the mound. In his four seasons in Kansas City, Vargas notched 34 wins and recorded an ERA of 3.88. He earned a spot on the 2017 AL All-Star team.

According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Baltimore Orioles have Vargas on their radar, despite his advancing age.

"…there’s definite interest in Andrew Cashner and left-hander Jason Vargas to plug holes in a rotation with only two returning starters.The Orioles have shown interest in Vargas in previous years and nothing has changed except his age. He turns 35 in February."

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MLB Trade Rumors postulate that the Orioles probably wouldn’t be willing to offer Vargas a multi-year deal.

"We…projected a one-year, $10MM pact for Vargas on the heels of a poor finish to the 2017 season."

That poor finish almost erased a fantastic first half for Vargas last year. During the first three months of 2017, he was brilliant, going 12-3 with a 2.62 ERA and a 1.147 WHIP. The second half wasn’t so kind. He went just 6-8, with an ERA of 6.38 and a whip of 1.595.

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Considering Vargas will be 35 in 2018, he will be very lucky indeed to convince someone to give him a second year. The Orioles must also be careful because Vargas surrendered 27 home runs last year, and Camden Yards is much more homer-friendly than Kauffman Stadium.

Spotrac.com estimates Vargas’ market value at approximately $9.6 million. That is too high for the Royals to consider Vargas’ return to their roster.

Vargas, even when injured, was a good veteran to have on the ballclub. He seldom seemed to get flustered, and his poise might help some of Baltimore’s younger pitchers. Despite his overall performance for the Royals, after witnessing his second half last year, they cannot afford to spend anywhere near $10 million to retain Vargas.

There is little doubt Vargas will have a job somewhere in 2018, but it most likely won’t be with the Kansas City Royals. The market would have to fall apart for Vargas, and the only way the Royals would sign him is if they couldn’t find a better replacement that was affordable.

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It is doubtful Royals Rumors will have Kansas City re-signing the southpaw. His price tag would need to drop significantly, probably closer to the $6 million range, and even then, there are probably better options available for the Royals.

Jason Vargas was an important part of the Royals turning the franchise around and making it to two World Series, and he will always be remembered in Kansas City.

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