The Pirates picked up Keone Kela, who is having a nice season, from the Rangers. The Yankees picked up Zach Britton from the Orioles. And…the Dodgers picked up John Axford from the Blue Jays.
Axford is not exactly the elite addition fans were hoping to see in Dodger blue. Not to mention, Axford was shelled in his only appearance so far. The front office acquired Axford as an additional depth piece, but I don’t think anyone expects him to regain the elite closer status he had at the early part of this decade.
The Dodgers were in play for several of the other veteran relievers shopped at the deadline but did not want to pay the price in prospects.