Phils Get an Arm

Considering the final price, the Phillies could have gotten Marcus Stroman. Instead, they got left-handed starter Jason Vargas (above) from the Mets. Why? The pitching, aside from Aaron Nola, has been not good. Jason Vargas is not very good. He'll fit right in.

Vargas is 36 and has a career 4.26 ERA and is at 4.01 this year. He's given up 81 hits (14 homers) and 39 walks in 94 innings. And all he cost was the Double A version of Andrew Knapp, a backup catcher hitting below .200. And the Mets are sending the Phils money to help defray the salary.

The reason they didn't go for Stroman is because they don't want to give up any prospects. Considering what the Mets paid to get him, they could have offered Adonis Medina, Nick Williams, and another minor league piece and not emptied the cupboard. Maybe Mickey Moniak, but not any of the big three of Alec Bohm, Spencer Howard, or Adam Haseley. I'd make that deal in a heatbeat.

It's a case of the Phillies valuing their prospects way more than anyone else. Or maybe they're being realistic and figuring this just isn't their year.