8:50 a.m. Eastern
-Cole Hamels and the Phillies have agreed on a six-year deal worth $144 million with a seventh year vesting option at $16 million more. Philadelphia now has three pitchers who make at least $20 million per year. Perhaps the Dodgers realized they weren’t getting Hamels when they traded for Hanley Ramirez early this morning. *With Hamels off the market and the Marlins in sell mode, there will be tremendous interest in Josh Johnson.
-Texas would be interested in James Shields if he’s available.
-The Yankees would love to get Chase Headley at the deadline, but could go for someone on a shorter term deal like Scott Rolen.
-The Dodgers still have the upper hand in the Ryan Dempster talks, and Los Angeles could deal a package led by AA righty Allen Webster.
-Tampa Bay got a nice infield piece, acquiring Ryan Roberts from Arizona in exchange for AA infielder Tyler Bortnick.
-Kansas City is talking to teams about Jonathan Broxton, says Jon Paul Morosi.

The Dodgers made a huge splash and gained a gigantic boost to the left side of its infield by acquiring Hanley Ramirez from Miami, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports.

Los Angeles also acquired lefty reliever Randy Choate in exchange for starter Nathan Eovaldi and advanced-A reliever Scott McGough. Ramirez’s disappointing slash line of .246/.322/.428 made the Marlins want to get rid of the contract, the ego and the attitude but the Dodgers had money to spend and put a headliner next to Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier who has the ability to be a superstar.

Ramirez is being paid $15 million in 2012, $15.5 million in 2013 and $16 million in 2014 so there is certainly financial risk. Miami continued its payroll purge after its uncharacteristic spending spree last winter prior to its move into the new stadium.

The Marlins dealt lefty starter Anibal Sanchez and infielder Omar Infante to Detroit on Monday for a package headlined by top pitching prospect Jacob Turner. With Cole Hamels now locked in with Philadelphia and Milwaukee still weighing whether to re-sign or trade Zack Greinke, Josh Johnson could be the top available arm via trade if Miami makes him seriously available.