A year ago the Los Angeles Dodgers helped the Boston Red Sox erase $265 million in payroll obligations from their books in perhaps the biggest trade in Major League history.

The Dodgers acquired Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto for James Loney, Ivan De Jesus, Jr., Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa and Jerry Sands. Los Angeles also agreed to take on all but $11 million of the $275.69 million guaranteed to the players they added.

Financial obligation aside, the Dodgers had interest in Gonzalez going back to early in the 2012 season.

According to sources, Ned Colletti asked Ben Cherington about Gonzalez in May, but he was rebuffed. When Colletti inquired again in July, Cherington's no wasn't as firm. The Red Sox weren't quite willing to concede the season at that point.

When the Red Sox played poorly in August, their stance on Gonzalez changed.