Dodgers Lineup: vs. Airzona

Hairston 7

M. Ellis 4

Kemp 8

Ethier 9

Ramirez 5

Rivera 3

Cruz 6

Treanor 2

Capuano 1

Trade rundown:

7/25-Dodgers trade Nathan Eovaldi and Scott McGough to Miami for Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate

7/31- Dodgers trade Logan Bawcom and Leon Landry to Seattle for Brandon League

        – Dodgers trade Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin to Philadelphia for Shane Victorino

My most hated player is now *gasp* a Dodger. Photo: Andrew B. Fielding-US PRESSWIRE

My head is still spinning after all the non-waiver trade deadline deals the Dodgers have made this past week. Starting with Hanley Ramirez, the Dodgers have been checking off their wanted items from their shopping list. As the 1 pm cut-off approached, Ned Colletti and team were busy making phone goals and wheelin’ and dealin’. With no monetary restraints this year, we have seen increased trade activity by the Dodgers. From the moves made today, it is obvious that the Dodgers want to win now. They have traded away quite a few minor league prospects in hopes of making a run for the division in these final two months of the 2012 season. While the Hanley deal was to my liking, this Shane Victorino for Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin deal was not. My disdain for Victorino runs deep, but I will have to wait for a later post to fully express my mixed emotions with this situation. As of right now, I have to suck it up and face the reality that Shane Victorino is leading off for the Dodgers. The Giants made a counter deal as they traded Nate Schierholtz to the Phillies in exchange for Hunter Pence. I like Pence a lot more than Victorino, but the Dodgers are still coming out of this transitional phase with upgraded power and speed in the lineup, a true lead-off hitter, and a couple of new bullpen pieces. While the Dodgers failed to land Ryan Dempster (he went to Texas), I’m glad they didn’t give into the Cubs hefty requests for prospects like Zach Lee or Allen Webster. Dempster would have been just a two month rental. Remember, we have Ted Lilly close to return and also Rubby De La Rosa is in rehab as well. Additional trades can always be made after today, but the player (s) would have to clear waivers first. (more…)

Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

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.