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Red Sox Rumors: 5 relief pitchers to target before the MLB trade deadline

By Rudi Richards

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: Sean Doolittle #63 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on June 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: Sean Doolittle #63 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on June 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 21: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on June 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 21: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on June 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Felipe Vazquez

With four years left on his contract following this season, Felipe Vazquez is a more costly option in terms of both payroll and any potential trade.

As a proven MLB relief pitcher, the left-hander has had a terrific first half to the 2019 season. He’s currently carrying a 2.00 ERA through his first 33 appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the National League.

Nearing the age of 28, Vazquez is in the prime of his career and would likely take a hefty haul to persuade the Pirates to ship him up to Boston. Whether or not the front office will want to offload prospects will have a huge effect on the caliber of bullpen help that the Sox can get this summer.

With a WHIP of 1.083, Vazquez would give Boston a sure-fire arm at the most important periods of the game. He’d be effective coming in to clean up a game and he can provide a bridge to other relievers.

It’ll be a tough acquisition to make. However, he’s a player that would be worth giving up a few pieces for. He’s such a versatile pitcher who is also in the top eight for saves in the entire MLB with nineteen. And it’s pretty obvious that the Red Sox need somebody who can actually close out games for them.

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