The New York Mets Sunday announced that they have signed Jason Vargas to a two-year, $16 million contract.
In a corresponding move, the team has placed infielder T.J. Rivera on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster.
“Ultimately it came together pretty quickly,” Vargas said. “There was some dialogue earlier that my agent might have had. The offseason was very strange for everybody. But [I’m] happy with the situation I’m in now.”
The 35-year-old went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA, 4.67 FIP and 1.330 WHIP over 179.2 innings. He dazzled in the first half, but struggled quite a bit after the All-Star break.
“I think there’s probably a few factors that went into that,” he said. “I wasn’t doing some of the same things early in at-bats. After we cleaned that up, I kinda got back to a position I was in right before the all-star break.”
Vargas added that he worked with pitching coach Dave Eiland last season to rectify his issues, which paid great dividends. The two will be reunited again in Queens, which was part of the appeal of Vargas joining the Mets.
According to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, Vargas was the No. 1 choice for the team to pursue. He also credited the Wilpon’s for getting involved and making the commitment to sign the pitcher.
Alderson added that the Vargas signing puts the Mets are pretty much where they want to be and he would be “surprised if not shocked” if they signed anymore players.
Vargas will wear No. 40.
