With the Los Angeles Dodgers and other contenders clearly in the market for bullpen help at the MLB trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Pirates held arguably the most coveted asset in All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez.
In addition to his success on the mound, Vazquez was attractive to other clubs in that he remains under team control through the 2023 season. Along with the Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves were among the teams with interest in the southpaw.
However, talks between the Dodgers and Pirates seemingly broke down over a disagreement on which prospects should be included.
With a high asking price established, the Pirates ultimately kept Vazquez at the 1 p.m. PT deadline on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
Felipe Vazquez will not be traded, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
Pittsburgh reportedly sought a return from the Dodgers that included Keibert Ruiz along with one of Gavin Lux and Dustin May. The Dodgers were said to be completely against parting with Lux in any trades.
Although Pittsburgh was engaged with teams in trade talks for Vazquez, general manger Neal Huntington repeatedly stated the club was not motivated to trade the 28-year-old. Huntington added the Pirates anticipated Vazquez closing postseason games for the franchise in years to come.
Along with missing out on Vazquez, the Dodgers additionally saw Shane Greene traded to the Braves. Meanwhile, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz and San Francisco Giants lefty Will Smith, two more reported targets for L.A., also appear to have stayed put.
