Rangers deal Ross to Red Sox for rookie starter
The Texas Rangers continued to add starting-pitching depth Tuesday by dealing from a thin bullpen on the left side.
Texas picked up rookie right-hander Anthony Ranaudo from Boston for left-hander Robbie Ross Jr.
Ranaudo, a first-round pick in 2010 who was also drafted by the Rangers in 2007, is another candidate in the mix for the No. 5 starter spot along with left-hander Ross Detwiler and right-handers Nick Tepesch and Nick Martinez.
Ranaudo, 25, made his major-league debut last season with the Red Sox and went 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA in seven starters after a dominating showing in the International League. He was the league's most valuable pitcher after going 14-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 24 starts.
"He's a guy that we like, we've liked for some time," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "You can't underestimate the value of starting depth. Obviously you're going to need innings over the course of the year and I would think he's in the position to continue to develop and become a reliable starter at the big-league level."
Daniels said if Ranaudo didn't win the No. 5 spot he'd likely start the season in Triple A Round Rock. The former LSU standout has been dominant in the minors as he was the Eastern League pitcher of the year in 2013.
Ross was one of two left-handed relievers (Alex Claudio) on the club's 40-man roster. Daniels aid the club is looking to add bullpen depth either before spring training or during it. He knows added a late-inning lefty specialist is difficult but Ross didn't necessarily fit that role either.
"Robbie had two very good years for us and is an outstanding human being and a person," Daniels said. "When you look at Robbie he's probably more like an early setup type and not necessarily a left on left guy. He's not necessarily the guy you bring in to get out the tough lefty in the lineup."
Ross started the 2014 season in the rotation but after early struggles he was sent to Triple A. He came back to the Rangers twice but still ended the 2014 season with a 6.20 ERA in 27 games, 12 of which were starts.
Ross was a surprising Opening Day member in 2012 and went 6-0 with a 2.22 ERA as a rookie. He was dominant again to start the 2013 season and finished that year with a 3.03 ERA and had 123 appearances for Texas in his first two seasons.
The Rangers do have another left-handed possibility on the roster in Ross Detwiler but Daniels said the plan is for Detwiler to begin spring training as a starter. He knows that after a 2014 season in which the Rangers used 15 starters there's no such thing as too much starting pitching. The club has now acquired Ranaudo, Detwlier and Yovani Gallardo this offseason in trades and re-signed Colby Lewis.
"This trade comes down that we like the value," Daniels said. "We like Robbie. We were not looking to move him. We saw an opportunity to get a starter that we feel we can develop over time, maybe this year, maybe over time that can bring value to us."
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