Red Sox trade him in recent weeks, was pleased with the outcome, according to his agent, Scott Boras.

"This is kind of a resolution to the situation," Boras said. "He's just really excited about coming out and starting a new part of his career."

The Dodgers could offer Ramirez arbitration at the end of the season.

Colletti said he had his first conversation with Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein about Ramirez two or three weeks ago. Though baseball sources indicated that the Dodgers were in discussions with the Red Sox over the last five or six days, Colletti said the talks didn't intensify until Thursday morning in the three or four hours leading up to the deadline. He described the Dodgers as "the late joiner" to the party, with thethe Dodgers' everyday left fielder and could bat third, fourth or fifth, Torre said.

"We certainly didn't plan in advance how to move the pieces around," Torre said. "That makes you yearn for the DH."

Because Ramirez is likely to walk at the end of the season, Colletti said it was important that the Dodgers hold on to their other outfielders.

"That was one of the sticking points of the deal," Colletti said.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, a Boston native, has been quiet regarding Colletti's job security in recent months, but complimented him Thursday for the way he acquired Ramirez and third baseman Casey Blake.

"I really applaud Ned and his people for being able to pull these deals off within a framework of trying to keep as many as the coveted young