Red Sox, Rangers swap Ranaudo for Ross

The Red Sox have traded right-hander Anthony Ranaudo to the Rangers in exchange for left-hander Robbie Ross Jr., according to an announcement from the teams. The move represents a swap of promising young pitchers who may be positively impacted by a change of scenery.

Ranaudo, 25, made his major-league debut for the Red Sox last season, posting a 4-3 record and 4.81 ERA in seven starts on the year. The tall righty had an excellent 2.61 ERA in 24 starts with Triple-A Pawtucket, and looked to be a starter of the future for Boston after being selected in the first round of the 2010 draft. He was ranked as the team's fourth best prospect in an offseason ranking by MLB.com.

Boston, who has added Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson to its rotation this winter, has now dealt away three of their promising young starters. In addition to dealing Ranaudo, the team sent Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster to the D-Backs for Miley in December.

Ross, 25, made his debut in the Rangers' rotation last season after spending two seasons as an excellent reliever. In 27 games (12 starts) in 2014, he posted a 3-6 record and 6.20 ERA, signaling a sharp decline from the ERAs of 2.22 and 3.03 that he posted in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Ross is likely to join Craig Breslow as the key lefties in the Red Sox' bullpen, while also having the ability to make a spot start if one of the team's starters is unable to pitch.unc