Dodgers "aggressively pursuing" Alexei Ramirez in trade talks

The Dodgers are "aggressively pursuing" White Sox' shortstop Alexei Ramirez in trade talks, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. It is unclear if the sides are close to a deal involving Ramirez at this time.

Los Angeles is known to be looking for a shortstop to replace free-agent Hanley Ramirez, who is very likely to head elsewhere in free agency. The White Sox are thought to be willing to move Alexei Ramirez for the right package, although they are not aggressively shopping him on the trade market.

As of last month, Bruce Levine of CBSChicago.com reported that the Mets, Yankees and Dodgers had contacted the White Sox about Ramirez, who is a free agent after the season and is owed $10 million in 2015. Teams looking for a shortstop are looking at options like Alexei Ramirez and Troy Tulowitzki on the trade market, as well as free-agents Hanley Ramirez, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jed Lowrie and Stephen Drew.

In seven seasons with the White Sox, Ramirez is a lifetime .277/.314/.405 hitter with 99 home runs and 480 RBI. The shortstop posted a .273/.305/.408 line in 158 games last year and was an American League All-Star.