The Dodgers are after a back-end-of-the-bullpen arm.
One day after MLB.com reported Los Angeles was interested in picking up Giants closer Will Smith, another name has emerged in the Dodgers’ market.
Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez is right in the crosshairs of the Dodgers, whose lone true struggle this season has been their bullpen in front of closer Kenley Jansen.
Los Angeles signed Joe Kelly to a three-year deal this offseason and he has been bad, posting a 6.15 ERA with a 4.32 FIP.
The Dodgers have only two relievers in their bullpen with ERAs below 3.00 (Pedro Baez, Julio Urias) and only one with an FIP below 3.00 (Baez).
That’s not good enough for a team in the postseason that has short leashes on starters such as Hyun-Jin Ryu, Rich Hill (who may not return this season) and at times, Walker Buehler.
Los Angeles will need a better bullpen if it wants to win its first World Series since 1988 and Vazquez could very well help it get that.
Vazquez is 1-0 with a 1.91 ERA with 19 saves this season in 33 innings pitched.
Over the last two-plus seasons he has totaled 77 saves in 174 appearances. He would help the Dodgers. The only question is how he would be in the postseason.
He has never pitched in the playoffs in his career.
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