Dodgers Add Manny Power

Moments ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally picked up a big bat.

Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez will call Chavez Ravine home after a rocky end to his career in Boston. The slugger begged to be traded anywhere, saying he would play in Iraq and joking that he should be traded to the Green Bay Packers for Brett Favre. Recently, he was seen chatting on a cell phone during a game.

As part of the three-team deal, Boston will get outfielder Jason Bay from Pittsburgh. Reports are saying the Dodgers will send the Pirates two minor leaguers, third baseman Andy LaRoche and pitcher Bryan Harris. Boston will also send a pair of prospects to Pittsburgh.

An offseason trade for Andruw Jones failed to give the Dodgers the pop they were looking for in the lineup, but this move will immediately make the team a playoff threat. The team is just a game above .500, but only a game out of first in the NL West. With a very weak division, the Blue Crew could clean up heading into the post-season. The only trick for manager Joe Torre will be maintaining peace in the locker room.

This trade comes on the heels of the Angels picking up Mark Teixeira to bolster a roster that already owns the best record in baseball -- giving some Southern California baseball fans dreams of an October freeway series.

Ramirez will become a free agent after this season.

AP Photo by Charles Krupa, improved by Andy Sternberg.