MIAMI (AP) – Former NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez was traded from Miami to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, July 25, part of what appears to be the third big fire sale in Marlins' history.

Left-handed reliever Randy Choate also was dealt to the Dodgers. The Marlins received right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and minor league pitcher Scott McGough.

The trade came two days after the Marlins sent pitcher Anibal Sanchez and infielder Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers for pitching prospect Jacob Turner and two minor leaguers.

"We weren't winning with the group we had and we want to make changes," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said.

According to MLB.com, the Dodgers will pick up nearly $40 million in financial commitment to Ramirez, who is signed through 2014.

"The addition of a hitter the caliber of Hanley Ramirez improves our lineup from top to bottom, inserting a proven run producer to go along with Matt [Kemp] and Andre [Ethier]," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told the website. "We're excited for Hanley to begin a new chapter in Los Angeles."

As of July 25, the 28-year-old Ramirez was hitting .246 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs, far from his big season in 2009 when he hit a league-leading .342 with 24 homers and 106 RBIs.

"I am sad to go," Ramirez said. "This will be always be my home, but it will just be a little different."

A three-time All-Star, he shifted from shortstop to third base this season to make room for Reyes.

"It's sad to see Hanley go to another team," Reyes said. "We developed a great relationship. I feel he was one of my real good friends on the team. Anytime someone close to you goes to another team it kind of surprises you a little bit and you get sad a little bit, but still need to go out on the field and play the game."

He joined several other stars who recently changed teams, including Ichiro Suzuki, Wandy Rodriguez and Kevin Youkilis.

"He meant a lot to this organization, a premium talent, an uber talent in a lot of respects,'' Beinfest said.

As of July 25, Los Angeles was 2 1/2 games behind NL Westleading San Francisco. After a 32-15 start, the Dodgers were just 21-30 since.

Ramirez could play either shortstop or third base for the Dodgers. Dee Gordon is on the disabled list with a torn ligament in his right thumb that could sideline him until mid- August, and is batting only .229 with 17 RBIs.

The Dodgers haven't gotten much production from their third basemen, with Juan Uribe batting just .190 with two homers and 17 RBIs and others doing little at the spot.

Choate, a 36-year-old lefty, is 0-0 with one save and a 2.49 ERA in 44 games. He began his big league career with the New York Yankees in 2000 and also has pitched for Arizona and Tampa Bay.