As the Cubs were floundering in the late innings of their game in Atlanta yesterday, Chicago announced the acquisition of Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez from Pittsburgh for Jose Hernandez, Matt Bruback, and player to be named later. When the Cubs lost Corey Patterson in early July, they added a centerfielder to their list of needs behind a starting third baseman.

For a long time, Chicago appeared to lead the pack of teams pursuing Mike Lowell and the city eagerly anticipated his acquisition bringing a division championship. Then Florida pulled Lowell from the market and talk began surfacing of acquiring Baltimore's Tony Batista, which didn't seem to make any sense. Instead, the Cubs were able to procure a promising, young third baseman for less than we feared they might relinquish for Lofton alone.

I looked at Ramirez in detail when he signed his current contract.