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MLB Trade Deadline 2019: 5 players the Mets should trade

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 17: Jason Vargas #44 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the interleague game on July 17, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. a(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 17: Jason Vargas #44 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the interleague game on July 17, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. a(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Jason Vargas

At 36, veteran left-hander Jason Vargas has managed to defy the odds and continue pitching effectively deep into his MLB career. The 14-year veteran missed all of the 2008 season while recovering from hip surgery and then missed most of 2015 and 2016 after Tommy John. Vargas bounced back from both injuries and actually led the Major Leagues in victories in 2017 while pitching for the Kansas City Royals.

Vargas is on his second go-round with the Mets and has bounced back from a disappointing 2018 season. He is 4-5 on the year with a 4.25 ERA after going 7-9 with a 5.77 ERA in 20 starts last season. There is some cause for concern, however, as Vargas is 2-2 over his last seven starts with a 5.06 ERA and has given up eight home runs.

He gave up only five home runs over his first 10 games of the season while pitching to a 3.57 ERA. The home runs should even out, as Vargas has actually held opponents to a lower batting average and on-base percentage during the recent stretch that pushed his ERA north of the 4.00 mark.

If the Baltimore Orioles can find a taker for veteran Andrew Cashner, the Mets can also do the same with Vargas. Like Cashner, Vargas is not exactly an innings eater, but he can be counted on to keep a lineup in check for at least two turns through. He won’t be good for seven innings an outing at this point of his career, but getting five strong innings from a starter is still valuable in a playoff race.

With so many teams in the National League still in the fight for the final playoff spot, Vargas becomes an attractive option for a team with lower postseason odds who still wants to try and stay in the race. He won’t cost much in terms of prospects or salary and has a deal that runs out at the end of the season.

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