The Red Sox have traded 29-year old switch hitting outfielder Coco Crisp to the Royals for 27-year old righty reliever Ramon Ramirez. Crisp played in 118 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 102 for 361 (.283 avg, .751 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 7 homers, 41 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. The Red Sox expected Crisp to replace Johnny Damon when he left for the Yankees and he was a disappointment for them. Crisp played 3 seasons with the Red Sox covering 368 games in which he was 352 for 1,300 (.271 avg) with 198 runs scored, 21 homers, 137 RBIs and 70 stolen bases. The Red Sox will likely sign a veteran to fill Crisp’s old role as the #4 outfielder in 2009. Ramirez should help fill a big need for the Red Sox as they search for dependable help in front of Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima. Ramirez was outstanding for the Royals last season as he pitched in 71 games (0 starts) in which he was 3-2 with 1 save, a 2.64 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. In three major league seasons, Ramirez has worked in 154 games (0 starts) in which he is 9-7 with 1 save, a 3.62 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. This is a trade that’s likely to help both teams.