Claudio Vargas

Vargas faded during the second half of 2007 and was eventually removed from the rotation. The Brewers will likely try to trade him during the offseason or move him to the bullpen if they can't do that.

Moving from Arizona to Milwaukee should give him a small bounce, though the homers he saves might just become doubles given the Brewers' so-so outfield. Overall, he throws strikes and flyballs, a high-variance combination that could produce a 17-win, 3.80-season at any time.

The Nationals had a plethora of starting pitching when the year started. Arizona didn't have enough. Vargas remedied both situations by having a lousy April, causing the Nats to cut him loose. He then rebounded in Arizona. Vargas sports a decent strikeout rate, so he could be useful if he wins a rotation spot in the spring. He's got a good chance to do that, but Arizona has some kids to audition, plus Russ Ortiz tying up a spot. Vargas isn't a lock.

Vargas was a mess no matter where the Expos stuck him last year, bullpen or rotation. He, more than anyone on the staff, will be at the mercy of the new outfield fences in Washington -- cozy dimensions will likely mean a very long season for Vargas.

Vargas' good season was derailed by a shoulder injury, but a 3.59 first half ERA puts him in line for a rotation job in 2004. He's a flyball pitcher without an out-pitch though, so keep your expectations low.

The Marlins sent Vargas packing in the deal that sent Cliff Floyd north after an ugly run at Triple-A, and he didn't fare much better for Montreal one level lower. He is only 23, though, so he's got a couple of years to learn how to harness his raw stuff before being declared a bust.