So apparently it was not all hype, the Miami Marlins were really looking into moving Hanley Ramirez. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Marlins have agreed on a deal that will send Ramirez and relief pitcher Andy Choate to LA.
There were numerous teams allegedly interested in Ramirez's services, but the Dodgers ended up winning the bid. Magic Johnson and company are making moves as they agreed to pick up the rest of the $37.5 million owed to Hanley through 2014.
The Marlins look to be cleaning up shop as they recently traded Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to the Detroit Tigers.
In the trade the Marlins received left handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and righty, from Single A, Scott McGough.
Miami gets two young pitchers they can develop in their farm system. Eovaldi has MLB experience going 1-6 in 10 starts for the Dodgers in 2012. In his career, he has totaled a 2-8 record and began pitching in the majors at the age of 20. McGough is a relief pitcher with a power arm. He is 3-5 with 5 saves and a 3.99 ERA. He has 48 strikeouts over 47.1 innings pitched in 35 appearances.
The Los Angeles Dodgers now have a little bit of power in the middle of their order. Their offense is one of the worst in baseball. They rank in last place with only 68 home runs (Adam Dunn just hit his 30th), they are 25th in RBI.
Andy Choate brings experience to the Dodgers' bullpen. He has a 2.49 ERA while recording 27 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched in 2012. Choate has been in the National League West as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, so the left hander will not have a hard time adjusting to the move.
Hanley has played in the east coast his whole career as a member of the Marlins and a brief stint with the Boston Red Sox. It is still unclear whether he will play shortstop or third base, but signs point to Ramirez covering for Dee Gordon in the meantime at shortstop.
