The Pittsburgh Pirates may consider making a big name available in the market for relief pitching by July 31, but their star closer won’t come cheap.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Pirates have had discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers about closer Felipe Vazquez, who would fit in as an elite left-handed reliever. However, the Pirates are reportedly seeking at least two of the Dodgers’ top four prospects, catcher Keibert Ruiz and pitcher Dustin May, in exchange for Vazquez. The Dodgers are likely unwilling to make that move.
The Dodgers have maintained interest in Vazquez for a while, and it’s easy to see why. The 28-year-old lefty has affordable team options that run through 2023, has a career-best 14.1 K/9 this season, and has posted a 1.87 ERA. That’s exactly what the Dodgers would like to have in the back of their bullpen, and if they got him, they’d have him for a while. That’s why the prospect cost would be so steep.
