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The Kansas City Royals signed left-handed starter Jason Vargas to a four-year,
$32 million contract Thursday, committing a significant number of years to a
pitcher with a career 4.30 earned-run average but the ability to eat
significant innings, sources close to the negotiations told Yahoo Sports.
The 30-year-old Vargas went 9-8 with a 4.02 ERA with the Los Angeles Angels
last season after coming over from Seattle, where he threw 611 innings from
2010-12.
The signing cements the loss of right-hander Ervin Santana, who had come to
Kansas City in a trade and excelled. A free agent, Santana is seeking a deal in
excess of $100 million.
Vargas, whose fastball averages about 88 mph, should benefit from the Royals'
strong defense as well as Kauffman Stadium, which, like Angels Stadium and
Safeco Field, plays as a pitcher’s park.