The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to solidify their bullpen at the trade deadline, and they have been linked to some of the game’s top closers. The latest is Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Felipe Vazquez.
Unlike the Dodgers, who are leading the NL West, the Pirates have just 36 wins and are fading from playoff contention. It would take a big haul to pry Vazquez away from them, but Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the LA is one team that could be motivated enough and has the minor league resources to pull off a deal.
The Dodgers want to acquire a top left-handed reliever, and Vazquez certainly fits the bill. The 27-year-old has a 1.91 ERA this season with 19 saves and 51 strikeouts in 33 innings. He would give LA a left-handed option at the back of the bullpen to pair with Kenley Jansen, but he is also under team control through 2023. That will likely make the asking price on him quite high.
We have already heard the Dodgers linked to another left-handed closer, so there’s a good chance they will be among the teams who acquire bullpen help at the trade deadline next month. After coming up short in the playoffs the past two years, the last thing they want is a bullpen that can’t finish games.
