The New York Mets have reportedly traded left-handed starting pitcher Jason Vargas to the Philadelphia Phillies.
It has happened. Jason Vargas is officially no longer a New York Met.
On Monday, per Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Mets shipped the right-hander to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jason Vargas has been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2019
Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets have received prospective catcher Austin Bossart from the Phillies.
So for Jason Vargas, #Mets are getting AA catcher Austin Bossart from the #Phillies
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 29, 2019
Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mets gave cash to the Phillies as well.
#Mets also sending $$$ to #Phillies in Vargas deal, source says.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2019
Vargas has been included in trade talks for a while now. However, it’s strange how the Mets would ship off one of their starting pitchers to a division rival. Usually, teams would be reluctant to do so as the trade deadline approaches.
Thus far this season, Vargas is posting a record of 6-5 with an ERA of 4.01 and a WHIP of 1.272. He has 81 strikeouts and 39 walks through 19 games (18 starts), totaling 94.1 innings pitched.
On Sunday, the Mets made the first of their big moves prior to Wednesday’s trade deadline. They sent prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson for then-Toronto Blue Jays All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Other Mets pitchers who’ve been included in trade talks are right-handers Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler. The former, per reports, is likely to be traded now that Stroman is a Met. Syndergaard has been linked to teams such as the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Saint Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.
Wheeler, on the other hand, could get an extension if he’s not dealt before Wednesday. His current contract expires at the end of this season.
The trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 31.
