Dodgers Interested in Relief Ace Felipe Vazquez
According to Jon Morosi, the Dodgers have their sights set on potentially acquiring southpaw closer Felipe Vazquez at this year’s trade deadline.
#Dodgers interested in #Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez, source says. Pittsburgh has no urgency to move Vázquez — they have team options through 2023 — but #Dodgers want to add the best reliever possible and have a strong farm system. @MLBNetwork @MLB https://t.co/iCSVbun2s2
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 26, 2019
With the bullpen woes in Los Angeles, and Kenley Jansen potentially coming off the books next year, the Dodgers would be well-suited to take on a controllable elite reliever like Vazquez.
Vazquez is controllable through 2023 on a fairly team-friendly deal, especially considering the caliber of pitcher he is.
Moreover, Vazquez has enjoyed a 1.91 ERA this season with a 36.7 K% and 6.5 BB%, all elite marks.
The Dodgers are expected to pursue bullpen help from the likes of Giants’ Will Smith, Indians’ Brad Hand, and possibly Vazquez.
Vazquez should command a pretty penny in prospect capital and the Pirates are supposedly looking at long-term catching solutions:
Would expect #Pirates to ask #Dodgers for catcher Keibert Ruiz in any talks for Felipe Vázquez. Ruiz, 20, has a .649 OPS at Double-A this season; he could address Pittsburgh's long-term catching need with Francisco Cervelli becoming a free agent after this year. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 26, 2019
It is fantastic to hear that the Dodgers are heavily considering bullpen upgrades at this time.
Seems risky to trade Ruiz at this pt., and though we have other good catchers further down the system they need someone closer to major league ready. Since we have so many other trade chips we need to either give them enough that they can trade for some other teams catcher or negotiate a three team deal.