Ramirez-Reyes Drama: The Solution Is to Trade Hanley to Los Angeles

As we all know, Jose Reyes just signed to play on South Beach.  And already we're hearing rumblings that Hanley Ramirez isn't thrilled about it.

As I see it, there is only one solution: trade Ramirez to another team.

The Marlins are all about a fresh start this offseason, and nothing would make it a fresher start than getting rid of the locker room poison that is Ramirez.  Dumping Ramirez would also free up several million dollars of payroll for other free agents still unaccounted for.  And since the Marlins just signed Mark Buerhle, they're going to need that room.

So trade him.

And the team I think that Ramirez needs to be traded to is another team looking to make a fresh start next season, my Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Dodgers' infield is anemic, and it would certainly be helped by a decent shortstop.  The Bums' primary shortstop option looks to be Dee Gordon, who, in my mind, still isn't ready for prime time

What I'd do is a one-for-one trade involving Hanley Ramirez for Andre Ethier.  The Marlins' outfield pales in comparison to the All-Star infield and rotation they're building, and Ethier adds proven All-Star talent.  He also seems to have accomplished all he's going to in the City of Angels.  

Furthermore, the Marlins would be paying Ethier at least $4 million less in 2012 than they'd be paying Hanley—$4 million they could pay to Prince Fielder, C.J. Wilson or any other number of All-Star free agents.

So make the call.