Ildemaro Vargas is just one of those guys who is desirable to have in your organization, but can’t quite stick on a 40-man. Thus, the waiver wire dance, and today it wound up seeing him claimed from the Cubs by the Pirates.
Vargas, 29, has generally raked at Triple-A, can play multiple positions, switch hits, and historically has been a good contact bat. Unfortunately, through stints with the Diamondbacks, Twins, and Cubs, he has yet to hit in his 150+ big league games, and he’s also out of minor league options. So that’s why you see him right at the end of these roster machinations. Maybe with the rebuilding Pirates he’ll have a better shot at sticking, and really getting a longer big league look, with time to adjust. Best of luck to him.