Jason Vargas signs with the Mets

The New York Mets have signed former Royals pitcher Jason Vargas, according to FanRag reporter Jon Heyman. The 35-year old left-hander pitched for the Mets in 2007. He spent the last four seasons with the Royals, winning 34 games with a 3.88 ERA and 4.22 FIP and 4.5 WAR, according to Fangraphs, outperforming his ZIPS projection over the course of his contract.

Vargas had a major setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, causing him to make just nine starts that year, and just three the following year. He had a solid year in 2017, his first full season back, winning 18 games with a 4.16 ERA and 1.6 WAR, and being named to his first All-Star Game.

Vargas is the third starting pitcher to sign this week, joining Jamie Garcia, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Blue Jays, and Andrew Cashner, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Orioles. The Royals will not receive any draft compensation for Vargas leaving, since he was not given a Qualifying Offer.

This closes the chapter on the Jason Vargas era in Kansas City, but he brought us more memories than you would have expected when the Royals announced his signing. Vargas would start three post-season games in 2014, which included his famous at-bat against the Giants when he mistakenly thought he had drawn a walk.