Pirates' Ildemaro Vargas hopes to take advantage of his versatility

The first conversation Ildemaro Vargas had with manager Derek Shelton upon joining the Pittsburgh Pirates was about which position he is most confident and comfortable playing.

The Pirates value versatility above all and claimed Vargas off waivers from the Chicago Cubs because he is a switch hitter who can play all four infield positions and even in the outfield.

“The main thing was the versatility and his ability to bounce around, obviously, at three infield positions and both corners,” Shelton said. “When you’re able to have a versatile switch hitter — now we have two of those guys — it definitely provides a different look and it makes managers think about how they’re going to use their bullpens in the pinch-hitting aspect.”

A natural middle infielder who has played 58 of his 151 career games at second base — along with 11 at third base, four at first base and one in left field — Vargas is prepared to play wherever the Pirates need him.

“I know that I’m here for an opportunity,” Vargas said Wednesday through club interpreter Mike Gonzalez, “and, as a ballplayer and everything I’ve gone through in my life, I want to take advantage of that opportunity to show what I have.”

The 29-year-old Venezuelan’s path to the Pirates has been as adventurous as it is circuitous. He spent parts of 12 seasons in the minor leagues since signing with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 16, playing in almost 1,000 games, and has bounced around from Arizona to Minnesota to Chicago.

“I’m going to be honest with you guys, I don’t want to be the first ballplayer that plays for 30 teams, for 30 organizations in the big leagues,” Vargas said with a laugh. “So I’m trying to do everything possible to get more playing time and just to be a productive ballplayer that the team can depend on in any situation and every situation.”

When the Cardinals cut Vargas on March 31, 2015 — a date seared into his memory — he was living in West Palm Beach as the father of a 3-month-old. So he worked on a landscaping crew to make ends meet for almost two months and played for the Bridgeport (Conn.) Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League before signing with the Diamondbacks.

“I needed to make money for my family,” Vargas said. “I was cutting lawns, and I’m very grateful for that experience, because it made me a stronger man. It made me a better man. Those are life journeys that we go through that help you appreciate life even more.”

Vargas has a career .246/.280/.380 slash line in parts of five seasons but has been released, traded and designated for assignment. He was 3 for 21 (.143) with two doubles and two RBIs in nine games with the Cubs before they cut ties and the Pirates claimed Vargas.

“My journey’s been tough. I’ve gone through a lot of sacrifice and a lot of struggles just in my playing career and my journey towards the big leagues,” Vargas said. “However, because it’s been a rough journey, and I’m sitting here before you guys wearing a uniform of an organization, I just can’t help but be grateful. I can’t help but be who I am. I’m grateful. I’m glad. I’m happy. Naturally, it’s how I’m wired, but at the same time, life experiences has helped me cherish moments like this and just remain positive, because life is short and we’ve got to appreciate every opportunity we have.”

Vargas has a reputation for having an infectious personality in the clubhouse, as someone who creates handshakes for each of his teammates. Shelton said the Pirates got glowing reports on Vargas from the Cubs, calling him a “wonderful kid,” so he wasn’t surprised to learn about his days as a landscaper. After all, Shelton worked for a moving company for two years before getting back into baseball as a coach.

“I think it speaks to who he is as a human being, that he was able to do that and willing to do that,” Shelton said. “A lot of people forget with major league players that they’re human beings. When they get released or things happen, they have to do things to provide for their families.”

Vargas has made the most of his limited opportunities. In August 2019, he hit a game-tying, pinch-hit home run off Andrew Miller in the ninth inning, then hit a two-out, bases-loaded single in the 19th inning for a walk-off win against the Cardinals. Last September, Vargas homered off Milwaukee Brewers All-Star closer Josh Hader.

And Vargas had a two-run double off Pirates closer Richard Rodriguez as the Cubs scored three ninth-inning runs in a 6-5 loss May 9. Vargas was designated for assignment six days later, when the Cubs activated outfielder Ian Happ from the injured list.

“I don’t know if that’s why the Pirates brought me here, but to be honest, I’m just grateful that they brought me here,” Vargas said. “I know that I’m here to help this team win. I’m here to take advantage of every opportunity that’s provided to me and to demonstrate and to prove what I have to offer. Hopefully, I’ll be here for a good amount of time.”