Jason Vargas Traded From Mets To Phillies

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The Mets added a starting pitcher on Sunday, and then traded another away the very next day.

On Monday, New York announced that it had traded Jason Vargas, and cash considerations, to the Philadelphia Phillies. This is the second transaction the team has made in two days, after trading for Toronto's Marcus Stroman over the weekend.

Austin Bossart, a Double-A catcher, is on his way to the Mets in return.

We’ve acquired minor league catcher Austin Bossart from Philadelphia in exchange for LHP Jason Vargas and cash considerations. #Mets

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 29, 2019

2019 was Vargas' second year with the Mets after he was signed as a free agent in February of 2018. He was 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA on the season, but made controversy off the field when he threatened and tried to charge at a reporter in the clubhouse after a loss in Chicago. Vargas was fined for the incident, as was Mickey Callaway. 

Vargas had thrown a little bit better of late, possibly as he knew he was auditioning for a trade. He hadn't given up more than three runs in any of his last three starts, which were all wins. 

The Mets' Jason Vargas throws a pitch during the first inning against the Brewers on May 5, 2019, at Miller Park in Milwaukee.Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Trading Vargas is the latest bit of restructuring that general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has engaged in at the deadline. The Mets have had made a slight improvement recently after a disappointing start to the year, but it's still unclear if they want to give up on 2019 completely. They sit six games back of the final NL wild-card spot.

Vargas' departure will make way for Stroman to come into the rotation. Noah Syndergaard could still be traded this week, as the Mets reportedly continue to listen to offers for him. 

Bossart doesn't offer New York too much in return. He's 26-years-old and not considered to be a great prospect. This seems more like a case of Van Wagenen wanting to get Vargas off the books for the future.

The MLB trade deadline will come to a close on July 31, and the Mets might still have moves to make before it shuts.