The MLB Trade Deadline is Wednesday afternoon. The Phillies appear to be buyers looking for pitching help in the race toward the postseason, which is looking more like a race for the NL Wild Card rather than the NL East.

Both the starting rotation and bullpen need some help, and the team had some reported interest in White Sox closer Alex Colome earlier Monday.

But the team did make a move, acquiring starting pitcher Jason Vargas from the division rival Mets. He’s the guy that threatened a Mets beat reporter earlier in the season. He’s 6-5 in 18 starts this season with a 4.01 ERA, slightly less than his career average of 4.26. He was an All-Star with the Royals a couple years ago as well.

Vargas is strangely an upgrade to a rotation that includes Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin. The Phillies have one quality start since June 30 by a pitcher that isn’t named Aaron Nola. Vargas has six in his last 11. So who comes out of the rotation? It ain’t good. Does the team move Velasquez to the bullpen, similar to what they did with Pivetta? Is Eflin the odd man out? Is it something else? We’ll see, as Vargas will probably start either Friday or Saturday.

Don’t rule out a couple more moves, especially with David Robertson’s status sounding worse each day. For now, the Phils begin a three-game series with the Giants tonight at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Drew Smyly takes the mound against Tyler Beede.


The Roundup:


Another day, another Eagles training camp practice. This will be the constant for the rest of the week. We’re only nine days away from their preseason opener against the Titans. Head coach Doug Pederson addressed the media and gave injury updates and identified his training camp standouts. He’s also been impressed by Jordan Howard.

“He’s quiet, but yet he’s a guy that asks a lot of questions on the field and in the meeting room. Takes it from the meeting room to the field. Been pleasantly surprised with him. Obviously what he put on tape prior to coming to us is exciting, and he’s fit really well.

“We just have to keep him coming with pass protections and techniques, but again, he’s fit really good with what we’re doing offensively.”

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora was at training camp and delivered this nugget:

As deep and talented as this roster is, I continue to hear aggressive GM Howie Roseman is already working the phones and staying in contact with other teams on potential trades. That market is ripe for exploitation, and the Eagles under Roseman have been at the vanguard of it. In the past they have dealt low picks for capable veterans in many instances, but I suspect he has too many skill position players to get on the field at roster cutdowns and adds ample draft capital in exchange for veterans. Regardless, he is on the prowl. Already.

That doesn’t surprise me one bit.

Carson Wentz, Jason Kelce, Zach Ertz, and Fletcher Cox were the Eagles on the NFL Network’s Top 100 list.


Tobias Harris says Ben Simmons “wasn’t confident” shooting last season and is working on it this offseason. Let’s hope so.


WIP personality Big Daddy Graham gives up a health update using a bowel joke. Again, that doesn’t surprise me one bit.


In other sports news, the Cowboys signed Alfred Morris with Ezekiel Elliott not at camp.

One week into training camp, the Dolphins fired offensive line coach Pat Flaherty.

Landon Collins isn’t a fan of Dave Gettleman.

Stephen A. Smith and Michael Irvin are unreal together on TV.


In the news, a $4,000 Chipotle robbery in Northeast Philadelphia might be linked to two Popeyes robberies as well. Bad people, but they do have a good taste in food.

DC statehood will get a full hearing in the House of Representatives.