Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that the New York Mets have maintained solid interest in free agent left-handed starter Jaime Garcia in addition to the previously reported lefty Jason Vargas.
Garcia, 31, went 5-10 with a 4.41 ERA, 1.141 WHIP and 2.02 SO/W in 157 innings last season between the Yankees, Twins and Braves.
Puma also reports that the Mets like the idea of Garcia because he can work from the bullpen if needed. Garcia made one relief appearance last year with 2.2 scoreless innings in the playoffs for the Yankees. He made two relief appearances back in 2016 for the Cardinals as well.
Original Post – Feb. 15, 10:42 a.m.
The New York Mets are still showing interest in free agent starter Jason Vargas according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
Vargas pitched the last four seasons under the tutelage of new Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland with the Kansas City Royals. He was acquired by the Mets in a 2006 trade then later dealt to the Seattle Mariners in 2008 as part of the J.J. Putz trade.
Vargas, 35, had a 4.16 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 4.67 FIP, 2.31 SO/W, led the American League with 18 wins and made his first All-Star team in 2017. The 3.8 WAR he posted last season was a career-high.
It was a tale of two halves though for the veteran lefty in 2017 with a 2.62 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 3.12 SO/W in a strong first half then a 6.38 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 1.70 SO/W in a brutal second half.
The former Met missed most of the 2015 and 2016 seasons after having Tommy John surgery in August of 2015.
Vargas is in the lower tier of free agent starters that includes Andrew Cashner, Jaime Garcia and John Lackey.
