A day after their surprising acquisition of Marcus Stroman, the Mets stayed busy Monday by offloading veteran left-hander Jason Vargas to the Phillies.
ESPN first reported the deal between NL East rivals, while the New York Post reported the Mets will get Double-A catcher Austin Bossart in return and The Athletic said the Mets are also sending cash to the Phillies.
Multiple reports in recent days indicated Vargas was on the block, and sending him to Philadelphia gives Stroman a landing spot in the Mets' rotation while boosting the Phillies' pitching depth.
The Phillies enter play Monday 6 1/2 games behind the Braves in the division and one game back in the wild-card race.
Vargas, 36, is 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 19 games this season but has been strong lately, winning three consecutive starts including Sunday against the Pirates while allowing six earned runs in 17 2/3 innings during that stretch.
The 14-year MLB veteran will be joining his sixth team and brings some postseason experience after starting three games during the Royals' run to the World Series in 2014.
Vargas is making $8 million this year and his contract includes a team option for the same amount next season. The Phillies can buy out that option for $2 million.
Bossart, 26, had a .195/.303/.335 slash line in 63 games at Double-A Reading.
Moving Vargas might not be the last pitching-related move the Mets make before Wednesday's trade deadline. The New York Post reported Monday the team is still "looking to deal" Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler from the rotation, and closer Edwin Diaz's name also has been mentioned repeatedly in recent days.
