The Giants and Angels are among the teams that have shown interest in Mariners right-hander Brandon League, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). The Giants are seeking relievers more aggressively than any team, Morosi reported earlier today. The Angels and Braves are also actively seeking bullpen help (Twitter links).
League is earning $5MM this year and will hit free agency this offseason. The 29-year-old has a 2.98 ERA with 5.3 K/9, 3.8 BB/9 and a 45.1% ground ball rate in 42 1/3 innings for Seattle. He lost the closer's job in May, but has pitched to a 1.71 ERA with twice as many strikeouts as walks since the beginning of June. His fastball averages 95.2 mph, according to FanGraphs.
mozelpuffski
come on AA bring Leaguer home!
Lunchbox45
but why? The best thing League did as a Jay was land us morrow
macdice
Would be happy to send League back home to Toronto if you wanted to send Snider back home to Seattle.
Taylor Hope
I like this idea much better than any aforementioned proposals.
macdice
Snider seems to have fallen out of the good graces of the Blue Jays, look at all the other players they brought up before he got another chance. So the BlueJays would really only be giving up a piece that is not in their long term plans so a former All-Star closer who could be a very effective set-up guy for them. From the Mariners perspective, he has a lot of offensive potential that they could try out the rest of the season to see what he could do with every day AB’s
esasc4
Naaa, braves dont need league, we just got batista, hahahaha,
nocalraiderfan
Horrible K rate and BB rate for a reliever. Anybody who trades for this guy will be disappointed.
Lunchbox45
the bb rate is of concern, but for a groundball pitcher his numbers aren’t sooo bad.
Taylor Hope
If we can fetch anything reasonable for League, why not go for it? He’s in his contract year and really hasn’t pitched well this season. His 2.98 ERA is misleading but could help bring in a better package.
WisBrave
I’d like to see the Braves to target Vinnie Pestano even over pay a little if they need to.
Wes MacDonald
Seen Brandon far too many times in Toronto when he was here. He can be brilliant at times…and all over the place at others. He could work OK for some teams.
swing1
Still can’t believe the Jays landed Morrow for this dude.
LyricalAssassin
Vargas League Truinfel 4 Morales!!!
MSUcorner
What’s up with Brandon belt? Is he out of favor with management, ie very available, or does Bochy just not like playing him?
Would he be available to the M’s for a League + package?
Taylor Hope
Yes, exactly what we need in Seattle. More so-so slugging and 1/3 of at bats resulting in strikeouts. I personally don’t think it’s worth the gamble at Safeco, but that’s just my two cents. Would rather get a contact hitter for League.
johnrhee
Emmanuel Burriss and a minor league player from the San Francisco Giants and a player to be named from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Mariners, Chone Figgins to the Dodgers, and Brandon League to the Giants would make sense for three teams since the Mariners should unload Figgins for a new start in Los Angeles (not the Angels).