Dodgers land Hanley Ramirez; Hamels stays with Phillies
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired former NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez from Miami in a multiplayer trade, the second big deal in as many days for the disappointing Marlins.
The Marlins announced the deal Wednesday at a news conference before their game against the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers also get reliever Randy Choate, while the Marlins receive pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and minor-league pitcher Scott McGough.
"I am sad to go," Ramirez said. "This will be always be my home, but it will just be a little different."
The 28-year-old Ramirez is hitting .246 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs, far from his big season in 2009 when he hit .342 with 24 homers and 106 RBIs. The All-Star shifted from shortstop to third base this season to make room for newly acquired Jose Reyes.
Ramirez could play either spot on the left side of the infield for the Dodgers. Dee Gordon is currently on the disabled list with a torn ligament in his right thumb that could sideline him until mid-August, and is batting only .229 with 17 RBIs.
The Dodgers haven't gotten much production from their third basemen, with Juan Uribe batting just .190 with two homers and 17 RBIs and others doing little at the spot.
Hamels decides to stay in Philly: Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $144 million, six-year contract that prevents the 2008 World Series MVP from becoming a free agent after the season.
The deal includes a club vesting option for 2019 and a limited no-trade provision, the team announced Wednesday in a statement.
It's the largest contract signed by a Philadelphia athlete and second-highest for a pitcher behind the $161 million deal the New York Yankees gave CC Sabathia in December 2008.
The 28-year-old Hamels becomes the third Phillies starter making $20 million per season, joining Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. A three-time All-Star, Hamels passed up an opportunity to possibly get more money on the open market to stay with the team that drafted him in 2002.
The lanky lefty is 11-4 with a 3.23 ERA this season. He's 85-58 with a 3.38 ERA in seven years in Philadelphia. Hamels has never won more than 15 games in a season, and his 2.79 ERA in 2011 was the only time he was under 3.06.
* NATIONAL LEAGUE
Nationals 5, Mets 2: Stephen Strasburg struck out 11 in seven innings, Michael Morse and Danny Espinosa hit consecutive homers and Washington completed a sweep at New York.
Pirates 3, Cubs 2: Kevin Correia gave up two runs and four hits in six innings as Pittsburgh avoided a sweep by beating visiting Chicago.
Braves 7, Marlins 1: Juan Francisco homered and drove in three runs to help Atlanta win at Miami.
Phillies 7, Brewers 6, 10 inn.: Jimmy Rollins hit an RBI single off Francisco Rodriguez with two out in the 10th inning as Philadelphia rallied to beat visiting Milwaukee.
Padres 6, Giants 3: Jesus Guzman hit two home runs and Chase Headley had one as San Diego won at San Francisco to avoid a three-game sweep.
Reds 5, Astros 3: Drew Stubbs launched a two-out, two-run double to rally Cincinnati at Houston.
Cardinals 3, Dodgers 2, 12 inn.: Rafael Furcal singled home the winning run with two outs as St. Louis beat visiting Los Angeles.
Rockies 4, Diamondbacks 2: At Phoenix, Jeff Francis pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, Willin Rosario hit a two-run home run and Colorado beat Arizona.
* AMERICAN LEAGUE
Angels 11, Royals 6: At Anaheim, Calif., Jered Weaver won his seventh straight start, allowing two runs and three hits as Los Angeles beat Kansas City.
White Sox 8, Twins 2: Dayan Viciedo homered and drove in four runs and Chicago beat visiting Minnesota to complete a three-game sweep.
Athletics 16, Blue Jays 0: Coco Crisp hit two home runs and Yoenis Cespedes had a pair of RBI doubles as Oakland won at Toronto for its seventh straight win.
Tigers 5, Indians 3: Max Scherzer allowed two runs over seven innings to win his fourth straight decision as Detroit won at Cleveland for the second time in eight games this season.
Rays 10, Orioles 1: David Price allowed one run over seven innings to earn his major league-leading 14th win as Tampa Bay won at Baltimore.
Rangers 5, Red Sox 3: At Arlington, Texas, Derek Holland struck out seven and pitched into the eighth inning Texas beat Boston.