LeBron James and LA’s biggest acquisitions of the 21st century
By Jason Reed
MLB:
Los Angeles Dodgers: Manny Ramirez (2008)
There were so many different players I could have named for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, out of all the teams on this list, the Dodgers have probably been the most active when it comes to bringing in big outside attractions. Granted, baseball typically has the most free agent signings and trades.
However, it was acquiring Manny Ramirez in 2008 that really got the ball rolling for the future of the Dodgers. Ramirez was a huge part in the Dodgers’ success in 2008 and 2009 and even finished fourth in NL MVP voting despite playing less than half a season in the National League.
Who knows what direction the Dodgers would have taken if Ned Colletti did not pull the trigger on trading for Manny Ramirez.
Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols (2011)
Albert Pujols did not initially live up to the hype that followed him to the Los Angeles Angels from the St. Louis Cardinals. In fact, the Angels are yet to win a playoff game with Pujols on the team; the team’s last playoff win coming in 2009.
And while Pujols is not the same monster he was in St. Louis, he still has been pretty good for the Angels and is by far the team’s biggest acquisition. Pujols has hit 185 home runs since joining the Angels, which is still good enough for the ninth-most in that time.