The Official Site of Hanley Ramirez

Wed, Jul 25th 2012, 10:14

Hanley acquired by the LA Dodgers

News broke late-Tuesday night that three-time All-Star Hanley Ramirez has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a four-player blockbuster trade. One of biggest trades in Dodgers franchise history, Ramirez will look to match the production that another Ramirez—Manny Ramirez—brought to Dodgertown in 2008 and 2009 when he helped the team to consecutive National League Championship Series.

“The addition of a hitter the caliber of Hanley Ramirez improves our lineup from top to bottom, inserting a proven run producer to go along with Matt [Kemp] and Andre [Ethier],” Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. “We’re excited for Hanley to begin a new chapter in Los Angeles.”

Ramirez, the 2006 Rookie of the Year, is expected to initially start at shortstop where rookie Luis Cruz has been filling in for Dee Gordon, who is expected back from the disabled list in mid-August with a torn ligament in his thumb. Ramirez may move back to third base with Gordon’s return, although Ramirez has said he’s willing to do whatever the team needs to win. A lifetime .300 hitter, the 28 year-old Ramirez is batting .246 with 14 homeruns, 47 RBI’s and 14 stolen bases through 92 games this season.

Ramirez will prove to be an immediate upgrade at third base for a team that has struggled to find production from the position. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly expects Ramirez, who will be wearing #13, to bat somewhere in the middle of the Dodgers lineup.

Ramirez is not concerned with his position in the field or in the lineup though, and instead has something bigger on his mind. “Right now, I’m just looking forward to going to LA and do what I didn’t [in Miami], win championships.”