New York Mets handing Jason Vargas the fifth starter role

The New York Mets had plenty of options to take over as their fifth starter for 2019. Instead, there will not be any competition for the job in Spring Training.

Heading into Spring Training, the majority of the New York Mets rotation appeared to be set. The only question surrounded the fifth starter role, where Jason Vargas had struggled mightily in 2018. With the likes of Seth Lugo, Corey Oswalt, and even Hector Santiago in camp, there appeared to be plenty of competition for that spot in the rotation.

Instead, manager Mickey Callaway ended that speculation, at least for now. According to Callaway, Vargas will remain as the Mets fifth starter, keeping the rotation the same as last year.

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The Mets certainly have to hope for better results from Vargas for the coming year. After signing a two year contract worth $16 million, and a team option for 2020, he imploded. Vargas posted a 7-9 record, with a disappointing 5.77 ERA and a 1.413 WHiP. Even though he made 20 starts, Vargas pitched only 92 rather ineffective innings, hardly the innings eater that the Mets were hoping for.

While it is unlikely that Vargas will return to form as the All Star pitcher he had been at the start of 2017 for the Royals, the Mets would certainly take his overall production from that year. Overall, in his 179.2 innings that season, he posted a 4.16 ERA and a 1.330 WHiP. If he can approximate those numbers for the Mets this year, the rotation could be in decent shape.

Of course, that assumes that each member of the rotation remains healthy and productive. For all the talent the Mets have in their expected rotation, there is a great deal of injury risk as well. As New York is eyeing a return to contention for the upcoming season, the health of the rotation will go a long way to determining how successful those hopes are.

For now, Jason Vargas will remain as the New York Mets fifth starter heading into 2019. However, that can change as the spring wears on.