The Los Angeles Dodgers added an impact bat for their postseason push early Wednesday morning, acquiring star infielder Hanley Ramirez in a four-player trade with the Miami Marlins.

It was the second multiplayer trade in less than 48 hours for the Marlins, who have begun a July fire sale after disappointing through the first four months of this season.

A three-time All-Star and former National League batting champion, Ramirez expressed mixed emotions over being dealt from the Marlins, where he has spent the first seven years of his career.

"For me this day is not easy. The Marlins have been my family, the only one I had in baseball," Ramirez told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com's Enrique Rojas. "I will never forget who gave me that first opportunity that every human being needs. They will always be in my heart."

Ramirez made his Dodgers' debut in St. Louis on Wednesday night. Wearing No. 13, he was at third base and batted fifth. Ramirez finished 2 for 4, including a triple, and an RBI in the Dodgers' 3-2 loss to St. Louis in 12 innings.

The Dodgers also acquired left-handed reliever Randy Choate from Miami for starter Nate Eovaldi and minor league right-hander Scott McGough.

Ramirez, 28, is a former NL Rookie of the Year and led big league shortstops with 124 home runs and a .521 slugging percentage from 2006 through 2010.

"He meant a lot to this organization, a premium talent, an uber talent in a lot of respects," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said.

But Ramirez has been a major disappointment over the past two seasons. He moved to third base this past winter to accommodate free-agent addition Jose Reyes but is batting just .246 with a .752 OPS for the Marlins.

"I leave with some regret, not having helped bring a championship to Miami," Ramirez said. "But otherwise, I just keep positive memories of my time with the team."

"It's sad to see Hanley go to another team," Reyes added. "We developed a great relationship. I feel he was one of my real good friends on the team. Any time someone close to you goes to another team, it kind of surprises you a little bit and you get sad a little bit."

The Dodgers are hoping Ramirez will be reinvigorated by a change of scenery and give them another run producer to complement Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier in the batting order. The Dodgers rank 12th in the NL with 379 runs scored and are 13th in OPS at .684.