Dodgers Acquire Brandon League

Ok guys, this came out of nowhere. The Dodgers tonight acquired relief pitcher Brandon League from Seattle, in exchange for minor league outfielder Leon Landry, and minor league pitcher Logan Bawcom. League is 29 years old a right hander, and owed only 1.7 million on the remainder of his contract this season. League this year has posted a 3.63 ERA, and an 0-5 record in 46 games for the Mariners. He has saved nine games, walked 19, whiffed 27, and allowed just one home run.

I’m not sure what the Dodgers are thinking here just hours until the trade deadline, but there are three options.

1. The Dodgers are using League as trade bait and will flip him to another team. There were already multiple other teams interested in League, including the Giants.
2. This could just be a move to block the Giants form getting him. If that is the case, mission accomplished.
3. The Dodgers keep League and use him out of the bullpen in a set-up, or middle relief role.

This is a minor move that could possibly lead to a potentially larger move tomorrow. League is decent, and I won’t cry over this since we didn’t give up much. It’s not like we’re giving up Zach Lee here. Logan Bawcom had apparently been recently promoted to Chattanooga. At that level he was 3-3 with a 2.60 ERA in 27 games. Landry was at the single A ball level of Rancho Cucamonga. Landry was hitting .328 with 8 home runs and 51 RBI in 80 games. Even if League does suck, he is only owed part of his 1.7 million dollar contract, which is chump change for the Dodgers. Then again, League is ok, and can help, another reliever couldn’t hurt. What do you think of the trade? I think this is a move to block the Giants. Something is up. We will find out tomorrow. Trade season is crazy.