Muscled-up Vargas aims to stay strong for 162

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- As the 2024 season came to a close -- a predominantly underwhelming campaign for Miguel Vargas once he arrived with the White Sox via trade from the Dodgers -- general manager Chris Getz had specific instructions for his 25-year-old third baseman.

¡°I told him, ¡®Miguel, I don¡¯t want to even recognize you physically when it comes to Spring Training,¡¯¡± said Getz during the recent Cactus League media day. ¡°He put the work in. ¡­ Not only physically does he look good, but he¡¯s made some real material changes to his swing that we hope is going to translate to production.¡±

Vargas was the White Sox centerpiece of a three-team, eight-player deal on July 29 that sent Minor League infielders Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez along with the veteran to Chicago. Vargas hit .104 over 157 plate appearances after joining the White Sox, with two home runs and three doubles among his 14 hits.

Part of Vargas¡¯ struggles centered on physical conditioning, but more about him losing weight than being out of shape. So after Vargas dropped around 12 to 14 pounds throughout 2024, he made a promise to improve that aspect of his preparation. Vargas arrived in camp with 20 more pounds of muscle mass across his 6-foot-2 frame.

¡°That was a main goal, to get stronger, get some pounds on my body. Try to be healthy and strong at the end of the year,¡± said Vargas prior to Friday¡¯s workouts at Camelback Ranch. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware of how important your body was and how important it is to take care of your body.

¡°Now this year, I understand a little bit of that. I gave my word to them that I would be better on that, and I think my word is very important, and they knew I¡¯m very into this. I feel like I can still be better, but I like the point I¡¯m at right now.¡±

Those changes came from Vargas going to the gym more, approaching his meals the right way each day and actually eating a little bit better and a little bit more. Sounds like a dream for most people.

Changes also occurred within his swing, with bat speed being very important. Vargas is trying to be better at the top of the zone against fastballs after posting a -6 run value with a .138 average and .275 slugging percentage against the four-seamer last season, according to Statcast.

Having the body change and the swing change has Vargas hoping for far better results in 2025.

¡°Yeah, for sure. My body feels strong when I go to the plate,¡± Vargas said. ¡°I feel really strong. I feel way better. I think that will help me. I was able to learn a lot. I was able to understand what was happening and get my work the right way, too, so it doesn¡¯t happen again.¡±

¡°He didn¡¯t get off to a great start, and it just really started to snowball from there,¡± Getz said. ¡°He was worn down. And the adjustments that he needed to make, it was tough at that point just because physically, he couldn¡¯t put himself in that position. We really wanted him to work on his strength and his physicality so he could make the proper adjustments.¡±

Defensively, Vargas primarily has worked at third base and first during the early stages of Spring Training. He also could be used at designated hitter, with the addition of Josh Rojas through free agency providing versatility across the infield.

Having played 30 games for the Dodgers last season before the trade, Vargas has been around a championship club atmosphere. Now he¡¯s in position to develop as a player with a rebuilding team.

¡°It¡¯s part of what I wanted to do in the offseason,¡± Vargas said. ¡°I wanted to do the best I can do offensively and take care of my body. Then when I go to the field, I don¡¯t have to think, ¡®I could do this better.¡¯ I want to go there knowing my confidence is there and I have to go there and compete.

¡°Everybody was happy about how my body changed. But like I said, it wasn¡¯t anything different for me. Last year at the end of the season, I gave them my word I would put that work on it. It was day by day in trying to keep my word.¡±