Robbie Ross Routed to Red Sox for Ranaudo

The Rangers tweaked the bullpen, sending popular and star-crossed Robbie Ross Jr. to Beantown for Red Sox right-hander Anthony Ranaudo,  

Texas Rangers

Watching Ross over the last few years has been almost as painful for Rangers fans as it has to have been for him. The Rangers’ 2008 second round pick, Ross came up as a wonderful surprise, posting a 6-0 record and 2.22 ERA in his 2012 debut season. But that magic seemed to begin to slip away in 2013, and last season the wheels fell off completely. Ross was tried as a stop-gap starter and that just flat didn’t work. The ERA ballooned to 6.20 and his 3-6 record had him shuttling between Arlington and the minors. And now to Boston.

With Ranaudo the Rangers get almost the polar opposite of Ross – from his 6’ 7”, 240lb frame, to his ascending career path. In 2014 he moved between Pawtucket and Boston, going 4-3 and a 4.81 ERA with the big club, and 14-4 at 2.82 in AAA. The LSU product has been well regarded in the Red Sox organization, winning multiple All Star selections throughout his minor league career. By all accounts he has a great upside.

Aug 29, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Anthony Ranaudo (63) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The only downside? Ranaudo’s pitching arm is on the wrong side of his body. The Rangers trade one of their very few lefties for yet another quality right-handed prospect. This trade is one of those where time will truly tell. There’s a large question mark as to which Robbie Ross the Rangers sent off. If he’s the Robbie Ross the fans remember, it may comeback to bite them. But if Ranaudo can bring his AAA quality to the major league level with consistency, this could be a great deal for the Rangers.