MARLINS, METS SWAP YOUNG HURLERS
The New York Mets acquired pitchers Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick from the Florida Marlins for pitchers Matthew Lindstrom and Henry Owens.
What does it give the New York Mets
Before this trade, the Mets didn't have much depth of left-handed pitching in their system. But they do now. With over 100 big-league innings already under his belt at 23, Vargas is clearly the most big-league ready. While he flourished in the second half of 2005 as a rookie, he couldn't find his form in the majors or minors in 2006, so that raises cause for concern. But if he can rediscover his form in spring training he has a shot at earning the fifth starting job in New York. Bostick is another big, 23-year-old southpaw. While he's not considered a significant prospect, he's had enough success in the minors to be considered a possibility for a middle-relief role in the majors down the line.
What does it give the Miami Marlins
With plenty of impressive young left arms in the minors and the majors, the Marlins dealt from depth to land a pair of promising young righties. Now 27, Owens is aging in prospect terms but broke through as a strong closer at Double-A Binghamton this year, earning him a brief call to the Big Apple in July. He's shown some pretty nasty stuff, but will probably have to show it above Double-A before he gets a crack at the majors. Lindstrom will also turn 27 before the 2007 season begins but he's the most talented prospect in this deal. He has scorching heat (having hit 100 on the gun), which was a huge factor in his successful switch to the bullpen in 2006 at Single- and Double-A. Both of these newcomers will factor into the Marlins "closer-of-the-future" conundrum.
Fantasy impact
