Red Sox Send Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers

BOSTON — Manny Ramirez is headed to Hollywood.

The Red Sox finally parted ways with their disgruntled slugger, sending him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a startling, three-team trade today that brought Jason Bay to Boston, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

Pittsburgh gave up Bay and wound up with four young players. Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.

The deal was completed just before the 4 p.m. EDT deadline for making trades without waivers.

As of early today, it appeared Ramirez might be on his way to the Florida Marlins. But when those talks fizzled, the Red Sox and Pirates found a willing third partner in the Dodgers.

Foxsports.com and SI.com reported the trade.

Ramirez, the MVP of the 2004 World Series, remains one of baseball's best hitters and has enjoyed plenty of big moments in October. But his relationship with the Red Sox soured — again — in recent months, prompting the All-Star outfielder to agree to the deal.

And now, Manny can be Manny on the West Coast.

The Dodgers began the day one game behind first-place Arizona in the NL West, and were seeking a big bat. Boston, in the middle of the AL East race and chasing a second straight World Series title, wanted a productive hitter in return and got that in Bay.

The last-place Pirates, looking for young talent, gave up their star outfielder and got a reliever, Craig Hansen, and an outfielder, Brandon Moss, from Boston and a third baseman, Andy LaRoche, and a pitcher, Bryan Morris, from the Dodgers.

LaRoche, Moss, and Hansen will join Pittsburgh and Morris will go to Class A Hickory.