Thanks, Boston. But, no, we don’t want to trade weather with y’all.
Players? Now that’s another story altogether.
While 78 and sunny is a keeper compared to the blizzard beating that Winter Storm Juno is dumping on the Northeast, sports fans in North Texas are always open to trade discussions.
Tyler Seguin from the Bruins to Stars? Yes. Rajon Rondo from the Celtics to the Mavs? Absolutely. And now, Anthony Ranaudo from the Red Sox to the Rangers? Bring it on.
Texas sent Robbie Ross to Boston Tuesday in exchange for the right-handed starter. There was a time when Ross dazzled in Arlington. When he was promoted from Triple-A he was briefly unhittable, especially for lefties. But the more he pitched, the more human he became.
Last year he was in the Opening Day rotation as a starter, but went 1-6 with a 5.70 ERA before being pushed back to the bullpen and eventually finishing the season back in Triple-A. In the last two seasons left-handers hit a whopping .310 against Ross.
So the Rangers, in essence, traded a minor-leaguer for a potential No. 5 starter. Thanks, Boston. And Jon Daniels.
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“He’s someone we’ve liked for a long time,” Daniels said about Ranaudo on a post-trade conference call. “He’s in a position to continue to develop and become a reliable starter. He’ll get every opportunity to start here.”
In Ranaudo, the Rangers are getting a 6-foot-7, 25-year-old prospect just scratching his potential. He made his MLB debut last season and went 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA. He was also his minor league’s MVP, leading the International League with 14 wins and a 2.61 ERA. Texas has long coveted Ranuado, but failed to sign him after drafting him in the 11th round back in 2007.
At Spring Training next month Ranaudo will compete with Nick Martinez, Nick Tepesch and Ross Detwiler for a spot at the back end of the rotation.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
