The Miami Marlins look like they have officially given up on trying to compete in the National League East, after trading away third baseman Hanley Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miami also sent over relief pitcher, and former Yankee, Randy Choate in exchange for pitchers Nate Eovaldi and Scott McGough.

A career .300 hitter, Ramirez is batting just .246 this year with 14 home runs and 48 RBI. What production he did provide was essential to a team with the third fewest runs scored in the National League, behind only the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres.

Rumors have also been circulating that starting pitcher Josh Johnson is going to be moved from Miami as well. We have seen the Marlins have fire sales before, but they usually wait until they win a World Series first. Willingly ridding your team of its best players doesn't seem like a way to attract fans or do the one thing you are supposed to do as a franchise: win games.

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