The Philadelphia Phillies, chasing a wild card berth, traded for starting pitcher Jason Vargas from the Mets on Monday.
Vargas will bolster a rotation that has been among the worst in the National League.
The Mets received minor-league catcher Austin Bossart in the deal.
#Phillies GM Matt Klentak talks about the Jason Vargas trade and if anything else is coming before tomorrow’s 4 p.m. trade deadline. https://t.co/ki0tMggKyU
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 30, 2019
A little more pitching
Vargas was 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 18 starts for the Mets this season, which is slightly better than his career line of 98-95 with a 4.26 ERA over 11 full seasons and parts of three others.
Vargas gives Philadelphia a veteran presence as the team tries to chase a playoff berth. After signing Bryce Harper and trading for Jean Segura in the offseason and adding Jay Bruce, Drew Smyly and Mike Morin in midseason deals, Philadelphia is clearly in win-now mode.
With this trade, the Phillies add a left-hander to a rotation that past ace Aaron Nola has been sub-par. Jake Arrieta is pitching with a bone spur in his elbow; Zach Eflin has a 10.46 ERA in his past six starts and Vince Velasquez hasn’t been much better.
Something to consider regarding Jason Vargas during his time with Mets:
HOME – 3.39 ERA, 9 HR in 85 IP
ROAD – 6.13 ERA, 23 HR in 101 1/3 IP https://t.co/8H2PQzScld— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 30, 2019
The confounding Mets
A day after making a huge splash by acquiring Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays, the Mets unloaded their most reliable starter over the past few weeks and got a middling prospect in return.
Bossart is playing at the Double-A level and is considered a very good defensive catcher. However, he’s hitting only .195 and wasn’t among the Phillies’ top 30 prospects.
The deal leaves many wondering whether New York plans to remain in win-now mode, whether it is starting to build for the future or whether the Mets just saw a couple of deals that were good on an island and decided to make them.
And certainly no one knows what else they’ll do before Wednesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.
The #MetsTwitter emotion cycle for Jason Vargas.
Feb 2018: #Mets got a bargain.
May 2018: Vargas sucks! DFA him!
Sept 2018: See, you just needed to give him time!
Apr 2019: Vargas sucks! DFA him
Jul 2019: How can the Mets give him up for a non-prospect?!?!Never change, friends
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) July 30, 2019
(h/t MLB.com)
