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Hanley Ramirez leaves LA

November 26, 2014

Lands in Boston with ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Pablo Sandoval
Dodgers continue to bolster bullpen with minor deals

Hanley Ramirez, right, won’t be high-fiving Yasiel Puig anymore.

By Brian Han

The Los Angeles Dodgers have not been making many big headline worthy roster adjustments during the 2014 offseason, but the latest significant move is saying goodbye to infielder Hanley Ramirez.

After rejecting the Dodgers’ one-year $15.3 million qualifying offer on Nov. 10, Ramirez announced on Nov. 24 that he had decided to take his talents to Boston, signing a 5-year $90 million deal with the Red Sox.

San Francisco Giants’ Pablo Sandoval will also be going coast-to-coast. Kung Fu Panda will be joining Ramirez at Fenway Park in a free agent signing worth $95 million over five-years.

Newly acquired Boston Red Sox free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval, nicknamed Kung Fu Panda, converses with a person dressed as a panda bear wearing a Red Sox jersey, overlooking a tarp covered Fenway Park field Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 in Boston. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

Most recently on Nov. 24, the Dodgers’ acquired right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later or cash. He will most likely be utilized as relief even though he did start 14 games last season.

In 19 relief appearances last season, Nicasio had a 21.3 percent strikeout rate and a 7.9 percent walk rate, and a 3.48 ERA – impressive numbers considering Coors Field is pretty much every pitchers’ worst nightmare.

The Dodgers realize that its bullpen needs an overhaul, which explains the move to acquire more relief pitching from the Tampa Bay Rays in the form of right-hander Joel Peralta and left-hander Adam Liberatore.

Although Peralta is 39, he’s an absolute workhorse and has pitched 296 games in the past 4 seasons — more than any other major league pitcher. He has maintained a 3.58 ERA over that same period.

On Nov. 17, the Dodgers’ acquired another power-hitting outfielder and first baseman, Kyle Jensen, from the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later or cash.

In his six minor league seasons, the slugger has averaged 27 home runs and 55 walks per season. Although the intention for the move is not entirely clear, it’s certain that Jensen will add depth to an already deep and powerful Dodgers’ outfield.

Lastly, right-handers Brian Wilson and Dan Haren both exercised player options and will be back in 2015 for a reported $10 million each.