CINCINNATI -- Twenty-three hours before Wednesday's Trade Deadline, Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez and setup man Keone Kela took the field to warm up and play catch with their fellow relievers in left field at Great American Ball Park.
One or both could be on the move before the Bucs leave town on Wednesday, as several reports indicated the front office was fielding offers for the relievers.
Vazquez is one of the biggest names to watch, given his elite performance and club-friendly contract. The Pirates have repeatedly stated their preference to keep him, but general manager Neal Huntington has also made it clear that he must listen to offers for anybody on the roster. To that end, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported on Tuesday that the Bucs were “listening more actively” when clubs asked about the 28-year-old left-hander.
Vazquez is the Dodgers’ top target as they seek to bolster their bullpen for a World Series run, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Naturally, the Pirates are asking for a lot in return.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that Pittsburgh won’t complete a deal unless it includes top prospect Gavin Lux, and the Times reported the Pirates have also asked the Dodgers about right-hander Dustin May (ranked as Los Angeles' No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline) and catcher Keibert Ruiz (No. 3).
Vazquez is earning $4 million this season. He is owed $5.25 million in 2020 and $7.25 million in ’21, and his deal includes a pair of $10 million club options for ’22 and ’23.
The Dodgers appear to be motivated buyers, but multiple industry sources told MLB.com that a Vazquez trade remains unlikely because the Pirates have set such a high bar in any trade talks. They are more likely to simply deal away their impending free agents, a process that began by trading Jordan Lyles on Monday.
Or maybe the Pirates will swing a deal involving Kela, another high-leverage reliever who is under club control beyond this season.
The Bucs and Brewers have talked about Kela, The Athletic reported on Tuesday, and other teams are interested in the 26-year-old right-hander as well. Kela comes with an electric arsenal, experience as a closer and another year of arbitration eligibility -- so he wouldn’t just be a two-month rental.
Given the number of teams in need of bullpen help, the Pirates could probably get a nice return for a high-end pitcher like Kela. They might be more motivated to move him, too, after suspending him for two games last week following an altercation in the clubhouse. On the other hand, Kela might be the Bucs’ closer-in-waiting if the club trades Vazquez.
Either way, the Pirates like what they’ve seen from Kela since he returned from the injured list (right shoulder inflammation) and his suspension. Kela pitched three times in six days, putting together three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, one walk and two hits allowed.
“The fastball velocity has been solid and consistent. The downhill angle has been there,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s spun his breaking ball extremely well. The work has been clean.”
Bullpen coach suspended
The Pirates suspended bullpen coach Euclides Rojas for two games due to an undisclosed violation of his contract. Rojas, a generally popular and well-respected figure in the clubhouse amid his ninth season, began serving the suspension on Tuesday night.
The club did not provide a detailed reason for Rojas’ suspension and said in a statement it will have no further comment on the matter.
Around the horn
• Left fielder Corey Dickerson returned to the Pirates’ lineup on Tuesday after leaving Friday’s game due to groin discomfort. Dickerson is a likely trade candidate, as long as he’s healthy, because he will be a free agent at the end of the season.
• The Pirates shuffled their bullpen with a pair of roster moves on Tuesday. The club optioned right-handers Alex McRae and Montana DuRapau, who pitched in Monday’s 11-6 loss, to Triple-A Indianapolis. To replace them, right-handers Geoff Hartlieb and Yefry Ramirez were recalled.
• Hurdle indicated that Opening Day shortstop Erik Gonzalez, who is currently on a rehab assignment in Triple-A, will serve as a super-utility player whenever he rejoins the Major League club. Gonzalez has spent time at shortstop and second base during his rehab assignment.
• The Pirates promoted shortstop prospect Oneil Cruz from Class A Advanced Bradenton to Double-A Altoona. The 20-year-old Cruz, acquired from the Dodgers for Tony Watson before the 2017 Trade Deadline, hit .301/.345/.515 with seven homers in 35 games for Bradenton.