For Ramirez this is the second time he’s headlined a trade in his career, as he was the key piece acquired by Miami (along with Sanchez) when they sent Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston prior to the 2006 season. That year Ramirez wowed most of the National League opposition, batting .292/.353/.480 in 700 plate appearances with 17 HR, 59 RBI, and 51 stolen bases while on his way towards winning the Rookie of the Year Award. It was the first in a string of solid seasons for Ramirez, who became a regular fixture among the game’s best players over the next four seasons. From 2007 through 2010 Ramirez batted a combined .319/.394/.532 over 600 games, adding 107 HR and 330 RBI. He won the batting title in 2009 (hitting .342), appeared in three All Star Games, won a pair of Silver Slugger Awards, and twice finished in the Top 10 in MVP voting.

Hanley Ramirez will take his talents from South Beach to L.A. as Nationals fans everywhere celebrate in unison. (Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE)

Last year, however, was another story as Ramirez struggled to a .243/.333/.379 line in 385 plate appearances. He also missed the season’s final two months after injuring his shoulder trying to make a diving catch in early August and would end up undergoing surgery during the offseason. This year he hasn’t fared much better, batting .246/.322/.428 in 395 plate appearances before the trade after shifting from shortstop to third base with the Marlins’ winter signing of Jose Reyes.

While he’s no longer the player he was a few years ago, Ramirez still may have plenty to offer another club which could explain why there were reportedly numerous teams that expressed interest in acquiring him. With the Dodgers he will likely return to shortstop, at least temporarily while Dee Gordon is on the disabled list. Upon Gordon’s return Ramirez will presumably slide back over to third base. He’s under team control through 2014 and is slated to earn $15.5 Million next season and $16 Million the following. Miami did not send any cash along with the deal, meaning the Dodgers will pay the entirety of that remaining balance.

Choate, meanwhile, will provide Don Mattingly and the Dodgers a solid left-handed reliever to work into their bullpen mix as they hope to remain atop the NL West for another two months. The former Yankee prospect has bounced around a bit in his career, having seen big-league time with the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rays, and Marlins before landing in L.A. He was even a member of the Montreal Expos organization from December 2003 until March 2004 when he was dealt to Arizona for John Patterson. This year Choate holds a 2.49 ERA and 0.987 WHIP through 44 appearances (25.1 innings).

Eovaldi was ranked at the Dodgers’ #3 prospect heading into the season, according to Baseball America, and the #96 prospect in baseball. He fell in the 2008 Draft to the 11th Round after undergoing Tommy John Surgery while still in high school, something that caused a number of teams to shy away from selecting him. The 22 year old has had a rough season with the Dodgers this year, posting a 1-6 record and 4.15 ERA in 10 starts (56.1 innings). The hard thrower (he’s hit over 100 MPH on his fastball in the past with regularity) has strong minor league numbers for his career, including a 3.28 ERA, 7.4 K/9, and 3.7 BB/9. With Monday’s addition of Jacob Turner, Miami now has two young and promising right-handed starters to build around moving forward.

As for McGough, he’s spent his professional career working out of the bullpen within the Dodgers organization since being drafted last June in the 5th Round. Through 61 appearances (73.1 innings) he holds a 3.56 ERA and has struck out more than a batter per inning (9.9 K/9). He was pitching for L.A.’s High-A affiliate at the time of the trade.

Washington certainly won’t be sorry to see Ramirez leave the NL East. Over his career Ramirez was a problem for the Nationals’ pitchers, batting a combined .342/.430/.637 with 27 HR (his highest total versus any singular opponent … and by a decent margin) and 74 RBI. With him now on the West Coast those meetings will be fewer and farther between, unless the Nationals and Dodgers meet in the playoffs this October which could be a realistic possibility.

Miami’s offseason was dominated by big headlines and big spending in anticipation of the opening of their brand new stadium, complete with in-house aquarium and a moving statue in center field that cost nearly $3 Million to build. They team handed out $191 Million in order to land Jose Reyes, Heath Bell, and Mark Buehrle on the free agent market, while making failed runs at both C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols for even bigger dollar amounts. But all the fancy new toys have yet to produce a winning combination in Miami, despite an MLB-high boost in attendance from last season.

The struggles of Jose Reyes are just one of the reasons behind why Miami sits in 4th place in the NL East. (Image Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE)

Last year’s winner of the NL batting title, Reyes has struggled for much of 2012. He’s hit just .264/.336/.378 with just 3 HR, 22 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 384 plate appearances. He’s still been solid defensively, but hasn’t provided the spark atop the Marlins lineup that he was expected to. By bringing in Reyes, the team moved their default face-of-the-franchise (though an argument could be made that he’s been unseated there as well) Hanley Ramirez over to third base in a move that (depending on who you believe) he was hesitant to agree to. Through 323 plate appearances, Ramirez is hitting just .248/.323/.424 with 12 HR and 44 RBI.

The pair of infielders aren’t the only ones struggling offensively, however. Catcher John Buck is hitting just .176/.305/.324. Former Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan is still a shell of his former self, batting just .140/.212/.183. Gaby Sanchez has struggled enough that he was sent back to the minor leagues and the team subsequently acquired Carlos Lee to try and fill some of the offensive void.

Omar Infante has been a bright spot, after some questioned the team’s eagerness to resign him last September. Over 306 plate appearances he’s hitting .290/.314/.455 with 7 HR and 30 RBI. Logan Morrison, while batting .249/.328/.443, has added 11 HR and 36 RBI.

Then there’s Giancarlo Stanton, the “new” face-of-the-franchise (or at least he will be … soon). The right fielder has pushed up big numbers this year, hitting .284/.364/.554 with a team leading 19 HR and 50 RBI. His home runs have been memorable ones this year – from mashing a walk-off grand slam off of that same center field statue to breaking the scoreboard down the line in left. Unfortunately for the Marlins, Stanton’s now on the shelf for the next 4-6 weeks thanks to knee surgery earlier this week that cost him an appearance in both the Home Run Derby and All Star Game.

From a pitching standpoint the results have also been disappointing.

Bell has been a massive disappointment thus far. He’s 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA and just 19 saves in 40 appearances. At multiple points during the season his hold on the closer’s role has come into question. Meanwhile the only other pitcher in the organization with extensive closing experience has been on the shelf, first trying to secure a visa to enter the United States and now serving what’s left of an 8 week suspension for using a false identification. Eventually the Marlins could get Juan Carlos Oviedo (formerly Leo Nunez) back and with Bell’s struggles, he could possibly resume that closing role.

Meanwhile, Buehrle has been a steady force in the team’s rotation. He’s 8-8 with a team leading 3.25 ERA through 17 starts and has been the consistent option the team hoped he’d provide. The remainder of the starting rotation, however, has not lived up to their end of the bargain. Josh Johnson is 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA but has at least remained healthy. Anibal Sanchez has struggled to a 4-6 record and 4.12 ERA. Carlos Zambrano has been dreadful, sitting at 4-7 with almost as many walks as strikeouts through 100 innings.

Team officials have insisted for weeks that the Marlins are still focused on winning this year, giving no indication that they are going to try and sell off parts at the pending trade deadline. Miami’s going to need to play better in the second half to make a comeback, which will be no easy challenge until Stanton and Emilio Bonifacio return to the lineup. Washington leads off the season’s second half with a four game series at Miami that begins tonight. The Marlins come to Washington for four more from August 3-5, including a double header on the 3rd. Washington heads back to Miami for two towards the end of August and then host the Marlins for a final three game set from September 7-9.

Our Season Preview series led off with an examination of the New York Mets. We followed with a look at the Miami Marlins’ pitching staff and then Philadelphia’s. Philadelphia’s position players came next and then we moved on to Atlanta’s. We’ll finish up the position player side of things with a look at Miami’s.

Shortstop is one of those positions where there only ever seems to be a handful of superior options available across the league, before there’s a fairly sharp drop off to that next tier of players. While the members of that top group may fluctuate some and certainly open a great amount of discussion, there’s always one player who seems to teeter right on the cusp of being in or out of the group. Hanley Ramirez never seemed like he was that player. But yet, with the Miami Marlins determined to spend it suddenly seemed as though Ramirez was expendable.

March 29, 2012; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes (7) makes a play during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE

The Marlins made it clear early on in the offseason that they wanted to make a big splash that started with adding Jose Reyes from the division rival Mets. He had just won his first batting title, proved he was healthy again, and was a force at the plate and in the field. The Mets, in a cash-strapped situation that most Marlins fans are used to, made a minimal effort to re-sign the shortstop because they knew that they were going to be outbid. Reyes signed with Miami in early December, a six year, $106 Million deal.

Reyes adds an electric talent at the top of the order and shores up the team’s infield defense. His arrival also pushes Ramirez over to third. It was a move the long time Marlin was first hesitant to make, at least as far as what was reported through the media, and it led to speculation that he could be traded. Ramirez will be in the lineup tonight for the Marlins, at third base, and could be poised for a big season if he can remain healthy.

Rounding out Miami’s infield is the rest of their 2011 starting group. Omar Infante returned to hold down second base for two more years. Gaby Sanchez is another year older and has shown great promise at the plate which could only further develop with the added experience.

In the outfield, the team will return their same starters from last year. Logan Morrison will patrol left field, with a new uniform number and quieter demeanor (he’s still on Twitter, just a little toned down). Emilio Bonifacio will start in center field. His value has always been tied into his speed and defensive versatility, but I’ve really viewed him as the best everyday option in center field. Chris Coghlan could make his way into the center field mix if he can bounce back after a disappointing 2011 season.

The player in right field should look familiar, even if the name on the outfield scoreboard isn’t. Marlins fans got to know Mike Stanton as a budding superstar. But Giancarlo Stanton will be penciled into the starting lineup as the season starts, as he’s chosen to use his given first name going forward. Stanton is one player who’s going to be fun to watch in the years to come and he could be capable of hitting 40+ home runs with 100+ RBI.

Former National Austin Kearns seems to have won the last spot on the bench, serving as an extra outfielder along with Coghlan. He was once a fairly highly touted prospect but he’s never been able to develop into the star some thought he would. Veteran Greg Dobbs will be the team’s primary pinch hitter in all likelihood, a role that’s kept him in baseball for the past few years. Donnie Murphy will also provide some depth in the infield. Behind the plate John Buck will get most of the at bats while Brett Hayes will back him up.