/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64873595/1163833221.jpg.0.jpg)
All that talk about the Phillies not making deals this trade deadline? You can just go ahead and stuff ‘um, pal. Because your Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly made a deal for Mets starter Jason Vargas.
Jason Vargas has been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2019
The Phillies starting rotation is, as we all know, in tatters. Aaron Nola came back in ace form a few weeks ago, but Jake Arrieta is pitching through a marble in his elbow, and the other three sports are manned by unreliable arms, some of whom have been shifting back and forth from the bullpen for part of the year. Drew Smyly was nabbed not too long ago, and is making his second start for the Phillies tomorrow. But for anybody looking for another move, well, the Phillies agreed with you that it was necessary.
And that move was Jason Vargas, who you most likely recall best from threatening a Mets beat writer for saying goodbye to Mickey Callaway.
Vargas threw 94.1 innings for the Mets this year, amassing a 4.01 ERA, 1.272 WHIP, 7.7 SO9, and 2.08 SO/W. In exchange, the Phillies are sending “a double-A catcher” up I-95.
Jason Vargas is earning $8 million this season and the #Phillies now have the option of paying $8 million to keep him in 2020 or pay a $2 million buyout.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 29, 2019
The Phillies DFA’d Yacksel Rios to clear space for Vargas.