The Philadelphia Phillies declined their 2020 option on starting pitcher Jason Vargas and will instead pay him a $2 million buyout to make him a free agent. The team also declined the options for relief pitchers Jared Hughes and Pat Neshek. Vargas went 7-9 with a 4.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 124 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings in 29 starts and one relief outing for the Mets and Phillies in 2019. He made 18 starts with the Mets and 11 with Philly. He was less effective with the Phils, posting a 5.37 ...