The New York Mets are reportedly open to dealing left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas and infielder Todd Frazier before the deadline.
The July 31 MLB trade deadline is approaching. Many ballclubs will be looking to deal certain players in order to upgrade their roster as well as snag some rentals for their rotations or lineups.
One of these teams is the New York Mets. And according to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets are reportedly looking to deal one of their pitchers as well as of their infielders. This, of course, also comes with the possibility that right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler could be dealt before the deadline.
Martino writes, “The team would also love to rid themselves of Jason Vargas because of his lack of contrition about a recent assault threat, and they will see how other clubs value Todd Frazier.”
The assault threat has to do with the incident that Vargas got into with beat writer Tim Healey in June. Healey told manager Mickey Callaway that he would see him tomorrow after a controversial loss.
Callaway believed it was sarcastic and antagonistic, and requested the public relations department to remove him from the clubhouse.
Vargas then proceeded to threaten Healey due to the fact he thought Healey was staring him down.
Ever since it seems the organization isn’t happy with him due to Vargas still not apologizing to Healey for the incident.
Another individual that could be dealt before the deadline is right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard. His value as an asset in the rotation has declined. That being said, the organization feels that they could definitely shop him at some point.
However, according to Martino, that probably won’t be what happens in the long run.
Martin writes, “The Mets know that it probably makes the most sense to gamble that Syndergaard will re-establish himself in the second half. It’s neither common nor easy to make franchise-altering trades in-season involving players with several years of control.”