- Rating: 5.78
- 2025 Stats: .270/.292/.383, 86 OPS+, 85 wRC+, 0.2 WAR
- Date of Birth: 6th July, 1991 (age 33 season)
- 2025 Earnings: $1,000,000
- 2026 Status: Free Agent
Background
I think it’s safe to say that Ildemaro Vargas enjoys playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks, or more specifically the Reno Aces. Vargas has spent a very large chunk of his career shuffling back and forth between the Diamondbacks AAA affiliate and the MLB club. Vargas first joined the organization in 2015, after being released by the St Louis Cardinals. Five years later, he’d leave the organization when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins for cash. He’d get placed on waivers by the Twins the same
year and get claimed by the Chicago Cubs. The Cub would then put Vargas on waivers again the next year (2021), this time getting claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who’d then trade Vargas a month later back to the Diamondbacks for Cash. Vargas would then leave the organization for a second time, electing free agency at the end of the season. Vargas would join the Cubs for the 2022 season, eventually get DFA’d the same season and wind up in Washington this time. The Nationals would employ Vargas for the next two seasons, although he’d often find himself playing for their AAA affiliate in Rochester.
Vargas’s best season as a Diamondback was in 2019, when he appeared in 98 games, hitting .269/.299/.413 with an 81 wRC+ and .4 fWAR. 2022 was the best season of Vargas’ career, in which he hit .263/.299/.392 with a 94 wRC+ and 1.4 fWAR in 63 games split between the Cubs and Nationals. If I had to describe Vargas’ skillset at the MLB level, it’d be solid infield defense, positional versatility, but with an offensive skillset consisting solely of an empty batting average.
Season Overview
Vargas signed a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks for the 2025 season, but Vargas utilized a clause in his contract that allowed him to opt out if not called up by a certain date, which he did on May 27th. Three days later on May 30th, Vargas would rejoin the organization for a fourth time (technically), this time on a major league contract. Vargas would make his first appearance in 2025 on June 1st, but would wind up on the injury list three weeks later on June 25th, which would keep him out of action until the middle of August. After being sent on rehab assignment in Reno on August 12th, the Diamondbacks would reactivate him on the 18th.
Overall in 2025, Vargas appeared in 38 games, hit .270/.292/.383 with an 85 WRC+ and 86 OPS+. While his offensive numbers weren’t great, he still provided positive value (1.4 DEF, 2 OAA) thanks to above average defense at shortstop, as well as at second and third base. Vargas elected free agency in early November, but considering his history with the organization, I don’t think anyone would be shocked to see him brought back for a fourth time.
