Crisp Headed to KC

The Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals have completed a trade that will send speedy centerfielder Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for right handed relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez. The trade fills a need for both teams as Kansas City has been looking for a speedy leadoff hitter while Boston, with the departure of Mike Timlin and probable move of Justin Masterson back to the starting rotation, was in need of a dependable set up man.

The switch hitting Crisp hit .283 with 7 homers and 41 RBIs in 98 games this season with the Red Sox . He also was 20 for 27 is stolen base attempts. Crisp, who is best known for his spectacular defense, split time in center with rookie Jacoby Ellsbury last season. The trade allows both to assume full time starting roles next season.

Ramirez was 3-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings last season for KC. He will solidify the set up role for closer Jonathan Papelbon that the Red Sox struggled to fill before moving Masterson there for the playoff run. The twenty-seven year old righty had been the setup man for Joakim Soria the past two seasons and was on of the more reliable ones in the game over that period.