Dodgers lasso bopper Ramirez

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Bob Nightengale

The Boston Red Sox, believing that Manny Ramirez was becoming a distraction that could ruin their playoff hopes, traded the disgruntled slugger Thursday to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-way deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Red Sox, who received outfielder Jason Bay from Pittsburgh in the six-player trade, were on the brink of sending Ramirez to the Florida Marlins but finalized the Dodgers deal minutes after the 4p.m. ET deadline. In addition, they will pay the $7million remaining on Ramirez's contract this season. The Pirates received four young players in return, two apiece from the Red Sox and Dodgers.

"He's one of the best right-handed hitters of this generation," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said, "if not of all time."

The...