BALTIMORE — Jason Vargas isn’t winning any popularity contests with Mets fans during this dreadful season, but the fact is he will likely remain in the team’s rotation plans headed to 2019.
Such are the implications when you give a veteran pitcher who doesn’t project as bullpen material a two-year contract for $16 million and are unwilling to swallow the dollars.
But Tuesday night Vargas at least gave the Mets a glimpse of what they can expect when he’s at his best: Six solid innings and a chance to win. But the win part never crystallized in a 6-3 loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards.