Dodgers trade for a pitcher, and secrets of the deadline

The Dodgers picked up Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Brandon League tonight in a trade for two minor league prospects. League is a former all-star who was Seattle's 9th inning closer last season, but lost that job this season. He's 29, hails from Honolulu, and has played in 349 games over nine seasons. He gives the Dodgers bullpen another journeyman arm, or a piece to trade.

ESPN reports that the Dodgers are also talking intensely with he Chicago Cubs about acquiring pitcher Ryan Dempster and, significantly, big contract-low performance outfielder Alfonso Soriano. The Cubs have tried for years to get him off their hands, and sadly, he's better than anybody else the Dodgers have in left field.

For baseball fans/students of the game: Ex-Dodgers general manager Dan Evans shares a lot of insights into the annual phenomenon of the July 31 "trading deadline" in a piece at Baseball Prospectus. It's good.

Rare baseball occurrence The Angels' Kendrys Morales today became only the third switch-hitter in history to slug a home run from both sides of home plate in the same inning. All have been since 1993. He is the 25th batter overall to hit two homers in an inning.