Los Angeles Dodgers have shown that consistency is the key for success.
Having reached the World Series the last two years, Los Angeles are obviously the favorites to reach the Fall Classic for a third straight occasion.
But fans don’t want just another World Series appearance.
They want a championship and let’s be honest, the Dodgers are not winning a ring this year, unless management fix the only inconsistency they’ve been dealing with this campaign.
Dodgers bullpen issues
Is not a secret that Los Angeles Dodgers relievers have been all but consistent during the season.
Even though they are ranked third in the saves column, the Dodgers are just 1% over the league average in converted Saves percentage.
The bad part of that percentage is that LA ranks 6th with the most save opportunities in the league, while positioned under league average in the Holds department.
With that being said, they need a lot of help on the second half of the game, but this reliever is all they need to get them to the promised land.
The Dodgers have 26 losses this season. After last night, 15 have been charged to a pitcher out of the bullpen.https://t.co/6QeK9SuSmt
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) June 25, 2019
Felipe Vazquez is the top choice
Vazquez, 27, is the actual closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Why the Pirates reliever?
Between pitchers with at least 38 innings worked, Vazquez (2.11) has the fourth best ERA of the league.
He sits just behind San Diego Padres closer and MLB saves leader Kirby Yates (1.15), Colorado Rockies reliever Scott Oberg (1.24), and Dodgers own Hyun-Jin Ryu (1.73).
VAZQUEZ A NIGHTMARE FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE HITTERS
Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez among the elite at the 2019 All-Star Game https://t.co/gnZVIAf3AO pic.twitter.com/RGCSfB65Jl
— Chase Williams WPXI (@chasepwilliams) July 9, 2019
Vazquez greatest adjustment
The two-time All-Star is striking out 6 hitters for every base on balls given up, a career best.
He also has the third highest strikeout per 9 innings average in the league (14.09), right behind Milwauke Brewers lefty Josh Hader (16.53 K/9) and New York Mets closer Edwin «Sugar» Díaz (14.68 K/9).
Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez watches as his team is introduced for the All-Star Game Tuesday at Progressive Field. pic.twitter.com/Gz4sp5hEPT
— Matt Freed (@mattfreedpghpg) July 10, 2019
Felipe will bring stability to Dodgers
It’s no secret that Vazquez role in the Dodgers system will build the bridge up to the 9th inning for Jansen.
He will definitely stabilize the Dodgers bullpen, while using his electric stuff regardless if it’s for an inning or two.
That way, manager Dave Roberts will get the flexibility to utilize Julio Urias earlier in the game.
Both Vazquez and Urias will pitch effectively wherever or whenever Roberts decide to use them, no matter the circumstances.
The only thing left is, are the Dodgers willing to part ways with at least two of their top prospects?
Getting Vazquez out of Pennsylvania won’t be an easy task
For the Dodgers, even though taking Vazquez’s electric stuff away from Pittsburgh will be highly difficult because of the Pirates asking price, there are situations that are worth trying.
General managers must remember that prospects are just that, until they prove otherwise at the big stage.
How high is #Pirates price on Felipe Vázquez? Sources say Pittsburgh likely would ask #Dodgers for *at least* two of the Keibert Ruiz/Gavin Lux/Dustin May/Will Smith group if talks ever advanced. (And one source said Pirates remain unsure if they sell at all.) @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 10, 2019
Giving up some of our top farm talents (Ruiz, May, Luz, Smith), for a better chance to win now shouldn’t be an issue, even less when Vazquez is under team control until 2023, with a team option the last two years of his contract.
But that same team control of the southpaw reliever is what makes the Pirates to demand very high for his services.
Considering his contract, Pirates reportedly would expect a significant haul from the #Dodgers in a Felipe Vazquez trade.https://t.co/rgALGwx29u pic.twitter.com/V8QWkGjMid
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 10, 2019
Time to get him aboard
The only apparent vulnerability for the team in blue is their relief pitching, and Felipe Vazquez is more than capable of filling that big hole.
In other words, Vazquez could mean the end to a 31-year MLB championship hiatus for the city of Los Angeles.
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