The Giants closed the 2012 season with an eight-game lead over the division-rival Dodgers, then went on a remarkable postseason run to earn their second World Series Championship in the past three years. Los Angeles' newly-extended closer Brandon League is not impressed; he offered some early bulletin-board comments regarding next season.
"The Giants had a great year," League said on a conference call with reporters Wednesday. "They won the games they needed to win. But I think in 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be the team everyone wants to beat or tries to beat.
"We're going to have a target on our back next year and we welcome it."
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League's comments came on the same day as the Giants ticker tape parade.
His inflated perception of the L.A. team seems natural after his comments about free agency.
"I didn't feel the need to test the market because the Dodgers were No. 1 on my list," League said.
The 29-year-old righty was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in part of the Dodgers' 2011 trade-deadline shopping spree. Last week he signed a three-year, 22.5-million contract extension after going 2-1 with six saves and a 2.30 ERA in 28 games for the Dodgers last season.
San Francisco Giants
Expected to be the Dodgers closer next season, League will have plenty of chances to back up his bold claims, and he'll have them with when the most chips are on the table.