Dodgers acquire Ventura from Yankees Thu July 31, 8:34 PM ET Add U.S. National - AFP

LOS ANGELES, California (AFP) - The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to add veteran bats to their lineup, acquiring third baseman Robin Ventura from the New York Yankees for outfielder Bubba Crosby and righthander Scott Proctor.

After attempting to bolster their weak offense by signing 44-year-old Rickey Henderson and acquiring Jeromy Burnitz from the New York Mets during baseball's All-Star break, the Dodgers added the lefthanded-hitting Ventura to the major leagues' next-to-last ranked hitting attack.

Ventura, who was deemed expendable by the Yankees after their acquisition of Aaron Boone earlier in the day, was hitting .251 with nine home runs and 42 RBI in 89 games. The 36-year-old Gold Glove third baseman also can play first, a position that needs filling with Fred McGriff sidelined.

"Robin is an established veteran leader who knows what it's like to play in a pennant race and in the postseason," Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. "He's a Gold Glove-caliber infielder whose offensive production should add a boost to our lineup."

In return for Ventura, Los Angeles sent one of their former top prospects to New York.

Crosby, who turns 27 on August 11, was selected 23rd overall in the 1998 draft. But the former All-American outfielder from Rice University has struggled at the professional level, hitting just .272 with 26 homers and 212 RBI in 459 games entering the 2003 season.

Crosby hit .361 with 12 homers and 57 RBI in 76 games with Class AAA Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League this season before getting his first taste of the major leagues. In nine games with the Dodgers, he went 1-for-12 with one RBI and three strikeouts.

Proctor, 26, combined for a 5-4 record and 2.58 ERA in 41 games with Class AA Jacksonville and Las Vegas this season. In his previous five minor league campaigns, he posted a mark of 24-26 with a 4.25 ERA.