THE BELTWAY BOYS: Whatever Happened To Claudio Vargas?

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Whatever Happened To Claudio Vargas?

[August 12th] - Do you remember Claudio Vargas? After respectable seasons on both 2003 and 2004 for the Expos, Vargas started the season on the disabled list for Washington. He joined the team in May and started his first game against the Diamondbacks, giving up one earned run in six innings. In his next three games, however, he got hammered, giving up 13 earned runs in just over 5 innings. He was released the day after his last loss against the Reds.

Vargas was picked up by the Diamondbacks, and has pitched effectively since. He has a record of 5-3 with Arizona, with an ERA of 4.18. No question, he's not Randy Johnson reincarnate, but he's certainly pitching good enough to still be part of the Nationals' rotation.

But hey, I would have cut him too.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 6:17 PM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?