BOSTON — Outfielder Coco Crisp was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Kansas City Royals today for reliever Ramon Ramirez.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore called the switch-hitting Crisp a "championship-caliber player" who will help Kansas City move forward. Crisp is a career .280 batter in seven seasons with the Cleveland and the Red Sox.

The 29-year-old stared 98 games for the Red Sox last season while sharing the center field job with rookie Jacoby Ellsbury. He stole 20 bases in 27 attempts, marking the third season in a row he's reached the 20-steal mark.

The trade frees up some money for Boston. Crisp is owed $5.75 million next season, with an $8 million club option for 2010 or a $500,000 buyout.

Ramirez is a 27-year-old right-hander who had a 2.64 ERA in 71 2-3 innings last season.