Ramirez is a head case, but he should provide the Dodgers with, well yeah, misadventures in left field...but also a power bat that that franchise has lacked for some time that will help them in the race for the NL West. Bay is an above average player in most respects and a 180 degree turn from Ramirez. The Red Sox took a hit offensively, but Bay is a defensive improvement and the clubhouse atmosphere should be better. The various players that The Pirates received are a mixed bag, though some should improve by getting more of a chance there. Unfortunately, teams like Pittsburgh are doomed to roll the stone up the hill like Sisyphus only to see it go down every time because of the sport's economic system.

At first glance, this looks like a good deal for the Sox and the Dodgers and Ramirez. He gets out of a situation he was obviously unhappy with, the Dodgers get a bat they desperately need, and the Sox get a solid young bat and a better fielder.