Ramirez, Rodriguez, Hamels Off Trade Market

Wild trade rumors have been floating around for quite a while involving some of the best players in baseball. After Ichiro Suzuki as well as  Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante broke the American League seal by going to New York and Detroit, respectively, the National League did a little about it last night. The Red Sox had been in rumors for Hanley Ramirez and Wandy Rodriguez for quite a while, and Cole Hamels was a big name on the trade market. However, last night, Ramirez takes his talents to Hollywood, Rodriguez is off to the Steel City, and Hamels has ensured he’ll stay in Philly by signing an extension.

Ever since the Red Sox traded Hanley Ramirez as well as Anibal Sanchez and two prospects to the Florida Marlins in return for Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett, he’s been “the one that got away.” A flood of rumors hinted that perhaps he wouldn’t be any longer as he may be headed to Boston; however, last night that was proven wrong. The third baseman/shortstop is headed to Los Angeles along with Randy Choate and in return for Nathan Eovaldi and a prospect. Once the best shortstop in baseball, his stats have taken a hit in recent years and his value has dropped as he’s batting just .246 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs. Still, with a change of scenery in L.A., he could return to his former form.

It wouldn’t be fair to say that the Red Sox were one of the primary teams in the mix for Wandy Rodriguez, but he was definitely an intriguing option. However, last night he joined the suddenly contending Pittsburgh Pirates in return for three minor leaguers. Rodriguez is having a pretty typical year of his, as he was 7-9 with a 3.79 ERA for the league-worst Astros. He’s a guy that could really help a rotation like the Red Sox’, especially because he has one more year on his contract, but it’ll be Pittsburgh that he’s helping.

Now, I’m not even sure if the Red Sox were in on Cole Hamels, but a lot of teams were. Last night, Hamels signed the second biggest contract ever for a starting pitcher– a huge 6 year/$144 million contract. This affects the balance of several teams that were really looking for a big arm to join their rotation, and will probably press either a huge contract or a huge trade involving Zack Greinke. However, all those teams looking for some more of the 11-4 record and 3.23 ERA that Hamels has put up, will have to wait quite a bit longer.