The Angels have acquired left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder Kendrys Morales. The transaction was announced by General Manager Jerry Dipoto.
The Angels have acquired left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder Kendrys Morales. The transaction was announced by General Manager Jerry Dipoto.
Vargas, 29, finished the 2012 season with a 14-11 record with a 3.85 ERA and 141 strikeouts. The left-hander led the Mariner staff in wins and quality starts (22) while setting career highs in wins, starts, innings pitched and strikeouts. The Southern California native finished amongst the American League leaders in starts (T4th), quality starts (fourth), innings pitched (sixth), WHIP (1.178, 10th) and complete games (two, tied for 10th).
A former teammate of Jered Weaver at California State University Long Beach, Vargas has compiled a 42-50 record with a 4.35 ERA over parts of seven big league seasons.
Vargas was the Southern California Player of the Year in 2003 at Cypress College as the chargers captured the state championship.He was a co-MVP of that tournament — batting .414 with 7 RBI in the playoffs, and a 2-1 record on the mound as he recorded 21 strikeouts in 19 innings. Opening the championship series, Vargas struck out 11. In the final game, playing first base, he went 2-for-3 to help secure the championship.
A member of Cypress College’s Hall of Fame and one of 18 alumni to reach the Major Leagues, Vargas finished his collegiate career at Cal State Long Beach and debuted with the Florida Marlins in 2005.
“He was a big factor in us winning the state championship that year,” said Scott Pickler, the Chargers’ head baseball coach. “It’s pretty unusual to have a guy hit .374 and strike out 101. It’s never happened in the 28 years I’ve been here.”
In his lone season at Cypress College, after transferring from Louiana State University, Vargas recorded 11 wins, 1 shy of the college record, tying him for 4th place in the single-season record book. He’s 10th in single-season strikeouts with 101, 7th on the career ERA list at 3.10.
