Red Sox Trade Coco Crisp for Ramon Ramirez
The Boston Red Sox traded outfielder Coco Crisp to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for reliever Ramon Ramirez. With the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury as a legitimate center fielder starter for years to come, the Red Sox felt it was time to part ways with Coco Crisp. Crisp has been the subject of many trade rumors for 2 years now, so it’s not surprising that the Red Sox let him go this off-season. Crisp and Ellsbury split time during the 2008 MLB season. Crisp hit .283 in 361 at-bats for the Red Sox. He had 55 runs, 7 home runs, 41 RBI’s and 20 stolen bases. Ellsbury hit .280 in 554 at-bats for the Red Sox. He had 98 runs, 9 home runs, 47 RBI’s and 50 stolen bases and proved that he can handle the everyday center fielder duty for an entire season. With the trade, the Red Sox also save some money as Crisp was due to make $5.75 million in 2009 and $8 million in 2010 with a club option (and a $500,000 buyout).
Ramirez emerged as a dependable, late-innings reliever during the 2008 MLB season. Ramirez has a mid-90′s fastball and was used as a primary set-up man for Royals closer Joakim Soria. He appeared in 71 games, pitched 71 2/3 innings and struck out 70 batters. He had a 3-2 record with a 2.64 ERA. His WHIP was 1.23 and he held opponents to a .222 batting average.
The Red Sox will continue to use Ramirez in the bullpen as a set up man for closer Jonathan Papelbon. The acquisition of Ramirez might also allow the Red Sox to move Justin Masterson back to his preferred role, that of starting pitcher. Masterson started 9 games and appeared in relief in another 27 games during the 2008 MLB season. Masterson prefers to start games, and could round out the 2009 starting rotation if the Red Sox don’t land one of the free agent starters out their on the market this off-season.
Overall, it is a good move for the Red Sox. It was time to let go of Crisp, and it gives the Red Sox economic flexibility and roster flexibility for the upcoming 2009 MLB season.
