Hanley Ramirez to Dodgers: Disgruntled Star Is Risk LA Had to Take

The Los Angeles Dodgers may not know exactly what they are getting with this version of Hanley Ramirez, but acquiring the former All-Star is a calculated risk that the Dodgers had to make. 

According to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, Ramirez and Randy Choate will head to Los Angeles for Nathan Eovaldi and Scott McGough.

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Source: Dodgers have acquired Hanley Ramirez and Choate from Marlins for Eovaldi and a minor leaguer. Game changes in LA. Marlins selling.

— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) July 25, 2012"

The Marlins may not be making a lot of fans, or keeping the ones they found by building a new ballpark, but this move is justified from their perspective. Ramirez was not playing up to his potential, and the team clearly needed a new direction to go after falling apart the last two months. 

For the Dodgers, though, Ramirez is a wholly justified risk. Even if he doesn't become the dynamic, MVP-caliber hitter he was from 2007 to '10, the Dodgers have significantly upgraded their lineup. 

After Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, the Dodgers were getting by with a lot of smoke and mirrors from overachievers who were starting to come back to earth, like A.J. Ellis (.392 OBP) and Jerry Hairston Jr. (.367 OBP). 

Regardless of where Ramirez plays on the field, either shortstop or third base, he will be an upgrade for the Dodgers even if he stays at his current .246/.322/.428 clip. 

Before getting injured, shortstop Dee Gordon was hitting a paltry .229/.280/.282. Not even 30 stolen bases can mask that ineptitude on offense. Third baseman Juan Uribe has been even worse than Gordon with a .190/.250/.293 slash line in 53 games played. 

Even as a league average hitter at shortstop or third base, Ramirez represents a significant offensive upgrade for the Dodgers. Because they are reportedly going to be paying all of his remaining salary, approximately $38 million, there is some downside. 

Of course, given the deep pockets the new owners have, money does not seem like it is going to be a big issue for the Dodgers. Plus, Ramirez is only signed for two more seasons, so it is not a significant long-term investment if it doesn't work. 

Ramirez has never been a good defensive player, though he should be better at third base than he is. According to Fangraphs, he has cost the Marlins 13 defensive runs this season. 

A change of scenery seems like the best thing for Ramirez. Going from a situation that he wasn't happy in to playing in a pennant race and in one of the biggest cities in the world could do wonders for Ramirez's career. 

The Dodgers have made a bold statement by acquiring Ramirez. It is up to him to prove they were right. 

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