The D-Backs are in settlement with infielder Ildemaro Vargas on a minor league contract, stories Aram Leighton of Simply Baseball. The 33-year-old will get an invitation to MLB camp.
Vargas has spent the final two and a half seasons in Washington. The switch-hitting utilityman has performed in a bit greater than half of the Nationals’ video games because the begin of the 2023 marketing campaign. Vargas places the ball in play however not often walks and has little or no energy. He hit .257/.302/.354 throughout 785 plate appearances with the Nats. Washington outrighted him off their 40-man roster on the finish of the season, basically non-tendering him in lieu of a $1.8MM arbitration projection.
Earlier than this current run in Washington, Vargas had spent the vast majority of his profession with the Diamondbacks. He debuted with Arizona in 2017 and remained with the group into 2020. Arizona traded him to the Twins throughout the shortened season however introduced him again in a minor commerce with the Pirates the next 12 months. That ended up being a short stint, as Arizona waived him in the beginning of the 2021-22 offseason.
Vargas has evidently made a constructive impression on workforce brass. They’ll convey him again for a 3rd stint in a non-roster capability. Arizona has an honest quantity of infield depth. Blaze Alexander and Tim Tawa are available as potential utility choices behind the presumptive beginning infield of Pavin Smith, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo and Eugenio Suárez. Prime prospect Jordan Lawlar will most likely open the season in Triple-A however might get his first prolonged MLB look subsequent season. Vargas is stretched at shortstop however grades as a succesful defender at each second and third base.
