Hanley to Dodgers and Wandy to Pirates

The deadline approaches and a couple of teams have made some moves. One of them is the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are actually in the mix in the NL Central as they are currently just 2.5 games back of the Reds. They have a good team but they wanted a bit more so they went out and got Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros in a trade in exchange for three minor league players. This already adds on to their pitching of James McDonald and AJ Burnett.

Meanwhile the Dodgers are in the same boat as the Pirates: contenders but currently 2.5 games back but in the NL West. Their offense has taken a hit this year and while getting Matt Kemp back from the DL helps, the team wanted a bit more in their lineup. Hanley Ramirez is the help they are getting. They get Hanley from the Marlins along with reliever Randy Choate in exchange for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and a minor league player. Though not the best avg., Hanley does bring some power and speed to the team.

These two moves are nice and show their respective fan bases that each side is trying to win now but they might not be the best moves available. The better move for the Pirates might've been going after Ryan Dempster of the Cubs or even Zack Greinke of the Brewers. I don't exactly have anyone off the top of my head for the Dodgers but I would've thought there would be someone they could get that would be better than... actually, now that I think about it, Hanley Ramirez is alright for them. No need to get any better.

Though fine moves, they may get a bit overshadowed by the fact that the Phillies and Cole Hamels have a new deal together. 6 year, $140 million extension gives that team some security. Pity it won't mean anything for this season.