Report: Pirates want top prospects from Dodgers for Vazquez

If Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez is moved before the July 31 trade deadline, a team will have to pay a sky-high price.

Late last month, the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly expressed interest in the left-hander. If talks advance between the two clubs, the Pirates would likely ask for at least two of the Dodgers' top-ranked prospects, a list that includes catcher Keibert Ruiz (1), infielder Gavin Lux (2), right-hander Dustin May (3), and catcher Will Smith (4), sources told Jon Morosi of MLB.com on Wednesday.

However, the Pirates are still unsure if they will be sellers at the deadline, Morosi adds.

Vazquez, a two-time All-Star, would create a fearsome one-two punch with Kenley Jansen at the back end of the Dodgers' bullpen. He's in the midst of another stellar season, posting a 2.11 ERA and a 14.1 K/9 rate while going 20-for-21 in save opportunities before the All-Star break.

The four players reportedly of interest to the Pirates are part of the Dodgers' top-10 farm system.

Ruiz, 20, has been underwhelming this season while posting a .662 OPS in 69 games for Double-A Tulsa, but he's considered one of the best backstop prospects in the minors.

Meanwhile, May (1.14 WHIP) and Lux (.896 OPS) are both 21 years old and have excelled with the Drillers. Lastly, Smith has hit three home runs over nine games with Los Angeles this campaign, and the 24-year-old has already made a strong impression:

The Pirates (44-45) sit 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs for first in a very tight NL Central. Meanwhile, the Dodgers (60-32) hold a 13 1/2 game lead in the NL West and own MLB's best record heading into the second half.