Yankees 2010 Trade Target: Brandon League

Brandon League, RHP Seattle Mariners
2010 season: 36 G, 5-5, 3.07 ERA, 41.0 IP, 2 SV, 1.10 WHIP

A second round draftee of the 2001 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Brandon League has shown to be one of the more dominant relievers of the past half decade. Making his debut in 2004, League struggled in his first full season in 2005, as he posted a 6.56 ERA in 35.2 IP in 20 games, allowing an opponent's batting avg against of .302. However, it appeared as though the best of League was still to come. The Sacramento native posted a 2.53 ERA in 42.2 IP in 33 games with 29 strikeouts in 2006. His opponent's batting avg against? .214. Adjustment? I think so.

Going into 2007, League was deemed one of the better relievers in baseball. He struggled through shoulder problems in 2007, lasting only 14 games and posting a 6.17 ERA in 11.2 IP. Many analysts recognized that League's velocity had dropped greatly. Due to advanced strength conditioning during the offseason, League overdeveloped his shoulder muscles, causing the drop-off in velocity. His shoulder problems continued and he eventually needed major shoulder surgery, causing the Blue Jays to place him on the 60-day Disabled List. He would miss the rest of the 2007 season.

League returned in 2008 looking like his 2006 form. His velocity was back, as he posted a 2.18 ERA in 33.0 IP in 31 games. He also had 23 strikeouts and an OBA of .230. League was again back on top. 2009 wasn't as kind to League, as he struggled through the season again. Pitching in a career high 67 games, he posted a 4.58 ERA in 74.2 IP, but had 76(!!!) strikeouts.

Following the 2009 season, League was traded to the Seattle Mariners with minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez for RHP Brandon Morrow. He's looked sharp so far in 2010, posting a 3.07 ERA in 41.0 IP in 36 games, as well as garnering 2 saves. He also has 31(!!!) strikeouts and an OBA of .214, his lowest since 2006. Due to the Mariners' poor play and sub .500 record at 31-43, last in the AL West, the Mariners have not yet declared themselves open to business, but it sure seems like it could be soon. When they do, League could be one of their best chips.

Recently, FOXSPORTS writer Jon Morosi tweeted that outside of Cliff Lee, the tattoo-addicted League is the Mariners' most attractive trade piece. He's a great reliever, and he's young, just 27, and is still under team control. He could easily help out a team's bullpen. One team with bullpen issues that could be interested? The New York Yankees.

With the bullpen struggling mightly this year, as opposed to last year's breakout, the Yankees are in need of relief help. Chan Ho Park has not met expectations, posting a 7.04 ERA in 19 games, while giving up 6 home runs, after giving up 0 last year, in 23.0 IP. His OBA? .320. Joba Chamberlain has composed himself recently, but he's still at a 5.17 ERA in 33.1 IP in 33 games, while giving up 11 walks, a weakness the set-up man should not have. Then there's the other cast of characters: Damaso Marte, who has been unreliable but not terrible, David Robertson, who struggled early but has recomposed himself, Boone Logan and Chad Gaudin, who are in for mop-up duties but are also pitching poorly of late. And then there's Mo. Do I really have to say anything about Mariano Rivera?

It's obvious that the Yankees need some relief help, especially with Alfredo Aceves still on the DL and with no definate timetable for return. I think that the Yankees could acquire League for maybe a B-Level prospect, such as a Mark Melancon. I think a trade of LHP Boone Logan and RHP Mark Melancon could get a trade for League done. I'd definitely do that trade if I'm the Yankees. League is having another great year, and he's still young and hasn't hit is prime yet. League could work with Chamberlain to set-up Rivera as well as work as a long-man out of the bullpen. He's owed just $1.08 million through this season, so he's cheap, meaning it'd definitely cost at least a B-level prospect. If I'm the Yankees and I can get away with giving up just Logan and Melancon, I pull the trigger.

So while it's still unknown if the Mariners are ready for waive the white-flag, it will be soon. I imagine that the Yankees could be players for League's teammate Cliff Lee due to the recent struggles of A.J. Burnett. If League is made available I would imagine the Yankees to be huge players. Perhaps the Yankees and Mariners could complete a trade that could land the Yankees both Lee and League? That'd be great but I'm just dreaming here! If I'm the Yankees, I'm trying to get League.