Red Sox deal big righty Ranaudo to Rangers

With the snow piling up in New England, Anthony Ranaudo is heading to warmer climes.

The Rangers acquired Ranaudo, who had been the Red Sox's fourth-ranked prospect, for left-handed reliever Robbie Ross, the teams announced on Tuesday night.

A supplemental first-round pick in the 2010 Draft, Ranaudo spent most of last season with Triple-A Pawtucket. The 25-year-old right-hander went 14-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 24 starts for the PawSox, limiting opponents to a .223 average and earning International League Most Valuable Pitcher honors. He led the circuit in wins and ERA.

Ranaudo was summoned to Boston for his Major League debut on Aug. 1 and earned the win after limiting the Yankees to two runs on four hits over six innings. He recorded a decision in all seven of his big league starts, going 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA over 39 1/3 innings.

"He's a guy we've liked for some time," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told The Dallas Morning News.

Texas took Ranaudo out of high school in the 11th round of the 2007 draft, but the New Jersey native opted to attend LSU, where he pitched the College World Series clincher for the Tigers as a sophomore in 2009.

Ranaudo will vie for the fifth spot in the Rangers' rotation. If he loses the battle, Daniels said he expects him to return to Triple-A.

"He has a four-pitch mix. He doesn't necessarily overpower guys, but has a quality pitch mix and throw strikes," Daniels told MLB.com. "Our scouts who have looked at him [talk] about his intelligence and aptitude and willing to make adjustments. We think there is more there and he'll continue to improve."

Ross, also 25, has made 150 big league appearances, including 12 starts, for Texas since 2012. He also saw time with Triple-A Round Rock last season, going 5-4 with a 4.33 in 12 games, including nine starts. In his three Major League seasons, the 2008 second-round pick is 13-8 with a 3.98 ERA.