KC Royals Potential Departures, Vol. 1: Jason Vargas

Sustainability?

It probably goes without saying that it’s unlikely for a 34-year old with a long and distinguished history of injury problems to have suddenly found the Fountain of Youth and grown a bionic arm. I’m not saying it can’t happen. But I am saying I wouldn’t invest a significant amount of money or assets with the idea that he’s doing anything other than keeping a seat warm for the next guy.

I’m certain there’s some kind of precedent for this in league history—Jamie Moyer comes to mind—but how many Jamie Moyer’s come along over the course of baseball history?

Since 2014, Vargas has made 16 starts. In July 2015, he tore his UCL, missing the rest of 2015 and most of 2016 in recovery. He has movement in his pitches, but he doesn’t locate like someone of Moyer’s ilk and that spiffy 14:1 K/BB ratio in 2017 seems pretty unsustainable.

Having said that, his changeup is approaching otherworldly.

Finding yourself on a list that includes Chris Sale, Corey Kluber and Chris Archer can’t be overlooked. That’s elite company.

Ties to other organizations or areas of the country?

Vargas is from Apple Valley, California which puts him not far from the Los Angeles teams, San Diego or Phoenix. However, he’s already done a brief tour of duty with the Angels and elected to sign with Kansas City. Also he bounced around in college (LSU to Cypress to Long Beach State), so situation seems more of a factor than location.

(One other factor that we’d be stupid not to recognize: money. As my friend JJ always likes to say, “Show me the green and I’ll be on the scene!”)