Royals sign LHP Jason Vargas

The Royals and left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas have reached a four-year, $32 million deal, according to multiple reports (Jeff Passan of Yahoo had it first). 

Vargas, 31 in 2014, has a career 4.30 ERA in eight big league seasons. In 2013, Vargas, with the Angels, went 9-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 24 starts. He added a 9.7 H/9, 1.0 HR/9, and 2.37 SO/BB ratio. He will be under the Royals organization through 2017. This deal should help other decent pitchers receive deals on the free agent market.

Vargas will likely be replacing Ervin Santana for the second time in his career. He replaced Santana when he originally signed with the Angels before the 2013 season. Vargas has thrown the fifth-most shutouts in the Major Leagues in the past three years with five. He has his best season in 2012, when Vargas went 14-11 with a 3.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP for the Seattle Mariners.

The Royals will be announcing the deal to the public at 5:00 PM ET.