Dec 31 2008
Busy New Year’s Eve
It has been a busy New Year’s Eve around the world of Major League Baseball for free agent pitchers and a handful of clubs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are close to adding free agent right handed pitcher Claudio Vargas on a one year contract that will earn him the league minimum of $400,000 but could earn $1.4 million with incentives.
Vargas made his Major League debut with the Montreal Expos in 2003 and has pitched for the Expos, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets.
He will compete for a spot in the Dodgers rotation in 2009 since the team has lost free agent starter Brad Penny and looks to be out of the running for their other free agent, Derek Lowe.
Lowe is receiving increased interest from the New York Mets, who have reportedly offered the righty a three year contract.
The Boston Red Sox, one of Lowe’s former teams, and the 2008 World Series champion Phillies are also interested in the righty’s services.
The offer to Lowe from the Mets is in the area of three years for $36 million.
The deal has yet to be confirmed by team sources or Lowe’s agents. Lowe pitched for the Dodgers in 2008 and has also spent time with the Red Sox.
