Poll: Dodgers Biggest Winner in Three-Way Trade

A poll of more than 21,000 CBSsportsline.com subscribers showed that as of midnight EST Thursday a decisive majority believed the Dodgers got best of the deal in the three-way trade involving Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, Pirates outfielder Jason Bay and Dodgers third baseman Andy La Roche.

The deal gives the Dodgers a big, mid-lineup slugger in Ramirez, 36, who becomes a free-agent at the end of the year with no options. Meanwhile Bay, 29, goes to the Red Sox and will remain under Boston's control until the end of next year.

The Pirates received from the Dodgers third baseman Andy LaRoche, 22, brother of first baseman Adam LaRoche, and pitching prospect Bryan Morris, 21. From the Red Sox the Pirates received prospects Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss, both 24.

Asked which of the three teams benefited the most, poll respondents said the Dodgers, 51 percent, the Red Sox, 26 percent and the Pirates 24 percent.

In addition to the personnel moves, the Red Sox also are paying $7 million of the $20 million still owed to Ramirez this year.

Though reaction has been mixed in Boston, many fans expressed gladness that Ramirez and his difficult personality had been purged, a reaction somewhat reminiscent of the reaction in Los Angeles when often overrated Dodgers outfielder J.D. Drew opted out of his contract to go to the Red Sox.

Pirates1B Adam LaRoche Awakens from Slumber

The thunder of little men bowling apparently has awoken Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche from his 20-year slumber in the mountains, as he is hitting .516 with three homers, two triples and 11 RBI in 31 at-bats over his last 10 games, raising his overall average from .221 to .251.

LaRoche -- who typically rounds into form sometime after June 1 -- is a little later than usual this year, but the Pirates are not complaining. With LaRoche finally contributing in the middle of the lineup, the team can hardly be considered a pushover with LaRoche standing alongside Xavier Nady, .322; Ryan Doumit, .319; Jason Bay, .292; Nate McLouth, .280; and Jack Wilson, .298.

Freddy Sanchez, hitting .228 but with much more potential as the winner of the National League batting title with a .344 average only two years ago, is in the process of rediscovering his stroke. When Sanchez comes around the Pirates will look like one of the most feared Murderers' Rows since the 1931 Yankees.