In a move no one saw coming -- because it wasn't coming until early Thursday morning -- the Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster three-team trade that brought Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles, completing the deal just minutes before the trading deadline.
When the whole thing finally came together, the Dodgers had sent longtime third base prospect Andy LaRoche and pitching prospect Bryan Morris to Pittsburgh, the Pirates had sent two-time All-Star left fielder Jason Bay to Boston, and the Red Sox had sent pitcher Craig Hansen and outfielder Brandon Moss to Pittsburgh. Oh, and the Red Sox also had sent the Dodgers a boatload of cash -- believed to be the $7 million balance of Ramirez's salary for this season, which became $21 million when a $1 million trade bonus kicked in. As a condition of waiving his no-trade rights as a 10-and-five player, Ramirez requested that the Red Sox officially decline his $20 million club options for 2009 and 2010 before completing the trade, ensuring that he can become a free agent after the season.
Ramirez's quirky personality -- which ultimately led to the Red Sox deciding they had to trade him despite the fact he had been a key figure in their two World Series championships over the past four seasons -- wasn't a concern to Dodgers officials. They didn't commit themselves to keeping him around longer than two months, anyway, so if it doesn't work out, they can simply wash their hands of him in the fall.
"We just feel this will make us better," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "I think we know what we're dealing with. This guy has been on a lot of winning teams and has been a key player on a lot of winning teams."
DIAMONDBACKS 2, DODGERS 1: The Dodgers mounted a rally off a tiring Brandon Webb in the eighth inning, starting with consecutive pinch-hit singles by Andre Ethier and Mark Sweeney, but it ultimately fell short after Juan Pierre bunted the runners into scoring position. On a shallow flyball to left by Matt Kemp, Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa sent Ethier home, and Conor Jackson gunned him down at the plate, ending the inning and preserving the lead.
