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Report: Dodgers interested in Pirates closer Vazquez

Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Los Angeles Dodgers already employ one of baseball's best closers in Kenley Jansen, but that isn't stopping them from looking into another elite finisher as the trade deadline approaches.

Los Angeles is showing interest in Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez, a source told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

With Jansen entrenched as the Dodgers' closer, Vazquez would likely provide added support at the back end of the bullpen should L.A. acquire him.

The 27-year-old left-hander has converted 19-of-20 saves this season for Pittsburgh while posting a 1.91 ERA and 13.9 K/9.

Vasquez has been one of baseball's elite finishers since 2017 and isn't scheduled to become a free agent until at least 2022; his contract has team options for 2022 and 2023 at $10 million apiece.

Vazquez's stats, 2017-19

YEAR IP ERA SV SVO FIP K/9
2017 75.1 1.67 21 23 1.67 13.9
2018 70 2.70 37 42 2.43 11.4
2019 33 1.91 19 20 2.36 13.9

The Dodgers' bullpen, considered one of the National League's best entering 2019, owns the fifth-lowest combined ERA (4.23) in the NL. But it ranks near the bottom of the league in K/9 (8.93) and LOB percentage (67.5 percent), according to FanGraphs, and Vazquez is among the NL's best in both categories.

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