Report: Mets interested in Jason Vargas

The New York Mets are still scouring the free-agent market for another starter, and may finally be zeroing in on a specific target.

New York reportedly has "solid interest" in free-agent left-hander Jason Vargas, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

While Vargas might be unfamiliar to some in the Mets' organization (despite making two starts for them in 2007), there's at least one member of manager Mickey Callaway's staff who knows him well. New pitching coach Dave Eiland worked with Vargas for the last four seasons while they were both with the Kansas City Royals.

After making just 12 starts in 2015 and '16, the 35-year-old Vargas authored a remarkable comeback campaign last year that saw him earn his first career All-Star berth following a red-hot first half. Though post-All-Star Game struggles hurt his overall numbers - he had a 2.62 ERA in the first half, and finished the season at 4.16 with a 1.330 WHIP - Vargas' 18 wins were tied for first in the league.

The Mets have been connected to other free-agent pitchers this winter, including highly coveted right-handers Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn, but are thought to only be interested in those two should their price tags drop. Vargas would likely represent a cheaper depth option, and unlike Lynn or Cobb wouldn't cost the Mets any draft-pick compensation.

Vargas owns a lifetime 85-81 record with a 4.17 ERA, 1.312 WHIP, and 939 strikeouts across 12 seasons with five teams. He helped the Royals to an AL pennant in 2014, but was injured during their championship run the following season.