In the midst of Ronald Acuna Jr.’s first round fireworks at the 2019 Home Run Derby, he was visited by a few of his National League teammates during his timeout. The connection between these players was that each was from Venezuela. Among the entourage of players huddling with Acuna Jr. was Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez, who likely will be one of the most sought after and valuable targets for many teams at this year’s trade deadline.
Vazquez himself has been involved in a deadline deal before. The Washington Nationals traded Vazquez in a package for Mark Melancon at the 2016 trade deadline.