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It turns out Tuesday night wasn't just a dream.
On Wednesday morning the Dodgers announced their trade with the Miami Marlins, acquiring three-time All-Star Hanley Ramirez and left-handed reliever Randy Choate for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and minor league pitcher Scott McGough.
"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)," said Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. "We’re excited for Hanley to begin a new chapter in Los Angeles."
That new chapter for Ramirez involves the new Dodgers ownership group putting their money where their mouth is, as they took in over $37 million still owed to Ramirez. With 71 days remaining in the season, the Dodgers will owe Ramirez approximately $5,819,672 this season, the remainder of his $15 million salary.
Ramirez, 28, is due $15.5 million in 2013 and $16 million in 2014.
In a lineup starved for impact hitters, the Dodgers will gladly welcome Ramirez whether he plays shortstop, third base, or even left field. He is likely to play shortstop at least until Dee Gordon returns in late August, if not longer.
Ramirez told Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post that he will be in the starting lineup for the Dodgers on Wednesday.
The Ramirez of 2011-2012 that has hit .245/.328/.405 is an improvement for the Dodgers, but if he can show any semblance of the hitter that hit .319/.394/.532 from 2007-2010, averaging 27 home runs per year, then the Dodgers have found a gem, and one still on the right side of 30.
In Choate, the Dodgers get a pitcher holding lefty hitters to a .150 batting average this season while striking out 20 of the 65 lefties he has faced. He last pitched on Monday, throwing 14 pitches in his only game pitched in the last seven days.
"Randy Choate is a veteran pitcher that provides depth to our bullpen and gives Don Mattingly another left-handed relief option," said Colletti.
The Dodgers are on the hook for approximately $581,967 of Choate's $1.5 million salary this season.
Eovaldi was 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 10 starts while filling in for Ted Lilly this season, with 20 walks and 34 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings. The 22-year old was scheduled to start Friday night in San Francisco against the Giants, so the Dodgers will need to make a roster move by then. If they don't acquire a starting pitcher by then, Stephen Fife is in line to pitch on regular rest on Friday so he could get another call from Triple A.
McGough, 22, was drafted in the fifth round in 2011 by the Dodgers, was was 3-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 35 appearances with Class A Rancho Cucamonga this season, with 48 strikeouts and 26 walks in 47 1/3 innings. He was ranked the Dodgers' 33rd best prospect during the offseason by our own Brandon Lennox.