The Reds signed Vargas to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Vargas was cut loose by the Yankees last week after slashing just .226/.291/.359 with seven home runs and 20 stolen bases in 89 games between the High-A and Double-A levels. He's still just 23 and received a $2.5 million bonus as an international signee back in 2018, so the Reds felt Vargas was worth adding to the organization.
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Alexander Vargas: Cut loose by Yanks
Rotowire
The Yankees released Vargas on Friday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Vargas received $2.5 million to sign with the Yankees back in August of 2018, one of the largest bonuses given to an international prospect that year. The 23-year-old shortstop made his way up to Double-A this season but slashed just .227/.299/.333 with one homer and 10 stolen bases at Somerset before being cut loose.
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Yankees' Alexander Vargas: Impressing early in camp
Rotowire
Through four Grapefruit League games, Vargas has gone 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI.
Vargas hit his second spring homer Thursday, belting a two-run shot in the eighth inning against the Phillies. The 23-year-old was among the top signees in the 2018 international class, but he's yet to really put things together, and he posted a modest .670 OPS with four home runs and 15 stolen bases over 260 plate appearances during his first taste of Double-A ball last year. Vargas isn't in serious contention for an Opening Day big-league roster spot, but he's still young enough to have a major-league future if he can demonstrate development in the minors.
