The Red Sox have mild interest in left-hander Jason Vargas, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). The results of their weekend games will determine what Boston does at the trade deadline.
Vargas, 29, has pitched to a 3.76 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 22 starts this season, though he does lead the league with 25 homers allowed. The Red Sox are said to be seeking a rotation upgrade, but coming into today they were in last place in the AL East and 5.5 games back of a Wild Card spot.
2.63/4.67 Home/Away split. Actually, that might be an upgrade, but why bother if the guy isn’t going to have an impact?
Ho-hum….
“Mild” is actually a good word to describe Jason Vargas.
The only pitcher that Vargas is upgrading is Aaron Cook, Franklin Morales can do similiar to what Vargas can do in my opinion. Vargas wouldnt come cheap either.
Lots of dislike toward the idea of this trade from Boston fans, and I think a lot of people up here in the Pacific Northwest don’t like the idea either. Vargas only has 1 year of team control left but the popular opinion seems to be “hang on to Vargas” because of how good of a pitcher he is in Seattle. He fits the mold for Safeco. Makes a lot more sense to keep him here than ship him to tiny Fenway.
No. It makes no sense to keep him.
I’d keep him only if we couldnt get something back that is good.
I still think Jack Z. made a huge error last season in trading Fister INSTEAD of Vargas. I like Vargas, but I don’t think he’s as good as people may think.
LHP + Green Monster + Flyball pitcher + Leading league in homeruns allowed WHILE pitching at Safeco during a year when his BABIP against is career low by 30 pts = very very very ominous
if the Sox acquired him they either hired a voodoo or should have their stats department punished severely.
edit: he seems to have a reverse platoon this year but generally righties hit him much better than lefties throughout his career.
“generally righties hit him much better than lefties throughout his career.”
Not a good sign for a LHP in Fenway.
He’s only pitched two games in Fenway, so it’s a pretty limited sample – but his ERA in those two games is 6.23.
Well, I’m always a little wary off judging visiting pitchers in Fenway, because how does one know whether a lack of success is due to the park or due to the fact that the Red Sox usually have a very good offense.
I actually thought a return to the Mets might be nice.
He is not the type of pitcher that seems like he would have success at Fenway.
Not even CitiField is big enough for him.
nick cafardo
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to up vote or down vote this…
Dear Red Sox front office –
I am in no way insulted if you sell pieces at the trade deadline. Please stop pretending we all think this team has a chance and consider that we know with ups come downs.
Don’t trade away a future prospect for an upgrade that will more than likely have 0 impact on this year.
Ben. Just don’t, Ben.