Vargas avoids arbitration; gets $3.6 million  Vargas’ $3.6
million deal is almost a million more than the $2.5 million he
earned in ’07, and signals a commitment by the Brewers’ club
that they will pay to keep mid-level talent. Still, the signing
could also be a precursor to a trade, now that the acquiring
team knows exactly how much Vargas will make…and that he is only
under contract for a year. Yet, all signs point to Ned Yost
having Vargas at the start of spring training, and at least
until the end of April, until Mike Cameron is done with his 25
game suspension. Vargas likely wouldn’t clear waivers if
designated for assignment to AAA Nashville, but the contract
could be a bit of a disincentive to some cash strapped
teams…still, I would think even the Pirates or the Rays would
bite the bullet on taking a chance on Vargas.