Dodgers add League to boost their bullpen

The Dodgers have had their bullpen issues as of late, struggling to hold leads during their last roadtrip.

In response to that, Ned Colletti has swung a deal to acquire former All-Star closer Brandon League from the Mariners.  In return, the Dodgers gave up minor league outfielder Leon Landry and pitcher Logan Bawcom.

League is now with his third team after spending the first part of his career with the Blue Jays starting in 2004, then moving onto the Mariners the last three seasons.  His best season was clearly last year, when he converted 37 of 42 save opportunities with a 2.79 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.  Those numbers earned him his only All-Star berth.

This season, however, has been different.  He was doing pretty well through April, going 6-8 in saves with a 2.77 ERA.  May was awful, as two more blown saves that month along with a 6.48 ERA saw him being demoted from the closer's role.  He hasn't had a save since then.

To his credit, he's actually settled down quite nicely since losing the ninth inning spot.  His ERA after his last appearance as closer was 4.43, and now it's 3.63.  Take away his last appearance in which he gave up three runs and only recorded one out against the Royals, and his ERA is 3.05.  So there has been positive steps taken by him.

Colletti has said that they actually tried to acquire him last year and during the winter, but he wasn't available.  His struggles this year have changed all of that. 

I like this move for a couple of reasons.  One, the Dodgers clearly need better options late in games.  Ronald Belisario for awhile looked like the perfect setup man, with an ERA as low as 0.95 on July 5.  Since then, he's given up runs in 6 of his last 10 stints on the mound, upping his ERA to 3.03.  He just isn't the same pitcher anymore.

The other reason is because League has shown solid improvement these last two months.  Like I discussed before, he seemed to accept his demotion positively, as his numbers have only gotten better.  That's the kind of pitcher the Dodgers need right now.

Barring anymore deals, the bullpen looks like this: Jamey Wright, Josh Lindblom, Javy Guerra, Randy Choate, Belisario, League, and Kenley Jansen.  Scott Elbert is currently on the DL, and Lindblom looks to be involved in a possible deal for Shane Victorino.  So, there's still moves that could happen.

Stay turned all day Tuesday, as the Dodgers don't look to be done with the trade deadline at 4 P.M. Eastern.