Phillies acquire Vargas from Mets

The Phillies announced the acquisition of pitcher Jason Vargas and some cash from the Mets. The Mets will receive minor league catcher Austin Bossart in return for Vargas, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

To make room for Vargas on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated Yacksel Rios for assignment. The Phillies are also getting money from the Mets in the deal, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury.

Vargas, 36, put up a solid 4.01 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 39 walks across 94 1/3 innings for the Mets this season. The lefty is owed the remainder of his $8 million salary and has an $8 million club option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout.

Vargas’ most notable act this season came off the field when he threatened a New York reporter after that reporter had an unwarranted tiff with Mets manager Mickey Callaway. Both Callaway and Vargas apologized later in the week. It will be interesting to learn how much weight, if any at all, the Phillies placed on that when considering acquiring Vargas.

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The Phillies’ rotation has been a bit of a mess this season. Everyone has failed to live up to expectations, including ace Aaron Nola. It is not clear yet which pitcher Vargas will replace in the rotation. Zach Eflin, who has struggled immensely as of late, would seem to be the top candidate to get shuffled out, at least temporarily. Vince Velasquez could be jettisoned back to the bullpen again as well.

In Bossart, the Mets are getting a 26-year-old catcher who this season has hit .195/.303/.335 at Double-A. While his defense earns praise, Bossart projects as little more than organizational depth at the position. Mostly, the Mets clear a roster spot for the newly acquired Marcus Stroman.

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