Welcome to the Blue, Yu Darvish!

This is the trade we've all been waiting for. Finally, after all the hollerin' and yellin' by the faithful, the Dodgers have made a trade for an impactful player -- a kind of player who we all hope and expect will take us to the promised land. The Dodgers have traded for ace starting pitcher Yu Darvish, and it didn't cost us our best prospects to get him. The Dodgers sent to Texas slugger Willie Calhoun, pitcher A.J. Alexy and second baseman prospect Brendon Davis. Per a Dodgers press release:

Darvish, who turns 31 on Aug. 16, has gone 52-39 with a 3.42 ERA in 122 career starts in five big league seasons with the Rangers from 2012-17, earning All-Star selections in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017. Since making his MLB debut in 2012, Darvish leads the American League in opponents’ batting average (.218) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (11.04), while ranking among the league’s best in ERA (7th), strikeouts (960, 7th) and WHIP (1.18, 10th).

Welcome to the Blue, Tony Cingrani!

The second trade of the afternoon was for another left-handed reliever. This time the Dodgers go to Cincy to add 28-year-old lefty Tony Cingrani for catching prospect Hendrik Clementina and former Dodger bench regular Scott Van Slyke. Per a Dodgers press release:

Cingrani, 28, has an 11-20 career record with 17 saves (all in 2016) and a 4.03 ERA in 164 games (30 starts) in six big league seasons with the Reds. Since his debut in 2012, he’s limited the opposition to a career batting average of .231, including a .219 average against left-handed hitters.

Welcome to the Blue, Tony Watson!

Wow!

Just when I thought the Dodgers would be standing put they go ahead and complete a flurry of trades just before the end of the non-waiver trade deadline.

As shocking as this news has been, I am far from dismayed. In fact, they ended up trading a bunch of prospect (none of whom are considered our best) and a former Dodger bench regular for three pitchers who aim to help the club during the final stretch.

First of all, the Dodgers received left-handed reliever Tony Watson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitching prospect Angel German and infield prospect Oneil Cruz. He began the season as the Pirates closer but was removed in June when he blew consecutive save opportunities.

2017 Topps Now -- #422 -- Kyle Farmer's 1st Career MLB Hit Earns Walk-Off Win

We're just experiencing the dream... Kyle Farmer is livin' it.

Last night's come-from-behind win over the Gnats is still impossible to believe. Was that real? Did we really steal that victory? Are we living a dream?

Last night Kyle Farmer strolled up to the plate and lined a ball over the first baseman and into the right field corner of Dodger Stadium. Corey Seager immediately came in to score, then Justin Turner hustled around the bases to barely evade a tag by Giants catcher Buster Posey to score the winning run. All the while, Kyle Farmer stood at second base watching the play unfold.

Welcome to the Blue, Luis Ysla!

While we all wait and wonder whether a "big" name is coming our way, the Dodgers decide to roll the dice and add another recently-DFA'd pitcher to their roster in hopes of finding a gem. On Saturday the Dodgers received left-handed reliever Luis Ysla from the Boston Red Sox for cash. Per a Dodgers press release:

Ysla, 25, appeared in 29 relief appearances with Boston’s Double-A Portland this season going 1-5 with one save and posted a 5.05 ERA (26 ER/46.1 IP). Over five minor league season with the Giants (2013-15) and the Red Sox (2015-17) organizations, Ysla has gone 16-23 with five saves and has posted a 3.85 ERA, while striking out 374 batters against 160 walks in 359.2 innings in 140 career games (44 starts). He was selected as the 2013 Rookie-Level Arizona League Post-Season All-Star, while also being honored as the 2014 Single-A South Atlantic League Mid- and Post-Season All-Star. The Carabobo, Venezuela native was originally signed by San Francisco as an international free agent on September 11, 2012.

Blog Kiosk: 7/31/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Am I the only one who wishes teams would stop doing this?

Last night Dodgers magic continued unabated. This time around though, newest Dodger Kyle Farmer played hero when he recorded his very first Major League hit in the 11th inning to drive in two runs; including the game winner. As teams are wont to do, the entire club immediately encircled their prey on the field and proceeded to strip him of his clothes. It was hilarious to watch, and I fretted the whole time. Nevertheless, I get the impression Farmer didn't mind. Heck, maybe he knew this day was his destiny. Per Chris Haft and Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"I told him, joking, in like the seventh or eighth inning," said Enrique Hernandez, "I was like 'Dude this game has Kyle Farmer written all over it. You're going to win this game.' And [Farmer] looked at me and said, 'I know.'"

Photo above via Hernandez on twitter. Pic on the right with Kyle Farmer showing off his game ball and lineup card via the Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 Dodger skipper Walter Alston is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1984 Baseball as an Olympic demonstration sport begins its Olympic tournament at Dodger Stadium. In 2004 the Dodgers receive outfielder Steve Finley and backstop Brent Mayne from the Diamondbacks for Koyie Hill, Reggie Abercrombie and southpaw Bill Murphy. They also traded outfield speedster Dave Roberts to Boston for Henri Stanley. In 2006 the Dodgers traded shortstop César Izturis to the Cubs for future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. In 2008 the Dodgers traded for Manny Ramirez from the Red Sox (including a three team trade with Pittsburgh) for Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris (who go to the pirates). Pirates outfielder Jason Bay goes to Boston.
• Happy Birthday, Pembroke Finlayson & Vic Davalillo!