The Rangers have traded reliever Wes Littleton to the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later. Last week Texas designated Littleton for assignment. General manager Jon Daniels said the player to be named may not be acquired until close to opening day, so the club isn't commenting on much regarding the deal.

The Kansas City Royals have traded left-handed pitcher Tyler Lumsden to the Houston Astros for a player to be named. The 25-year old Lumsden, who spent all of the 2008 season at Class AAA Omaha, was designated for assignment by Kansas City on Nov. 20.

The Kansas City Royals today announced that the team has acquired center fielder Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for right-handed pitcher Ramon Ramirez. "We're delighted to have Coco join the Royals organization," Royals Senior Vice President-Baseball Operations/General Manager Dayton Moore said.? "He is a championship-caliber player who will help this team in a number of ways as we move forward.? We'd like to wish Ramon Ramirez nothing but the best.? He performed extremely well for us last year as a key component of our bullpen and he will be missed."

The Royals acquired center fielder Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday in exchange for relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez. The Royals confirmed the trade via a press release. Ramirez said from the Dominican Republic that he was informed of the deal by the Royals shortly after 9 a.m. CT. The acquisition of Crisp could trigger more deals. On Tuesday, Royals outfielder Mark Teahen was linked with the Chicago Cubs, but sources with that club downplayed that interest.

The New York Yankees announced today that they have acquired switch-hitting first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher and right-handed pitcher Kanekoa Texeira from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Wilson Betemit and right-handed pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez. Swisher, 27, batted .219 (109-for-497) with 86 runs, 21 doubles, 24 home runs, and 69 RBI in 153 games with the White Sox in 2008, leading all American League switch-hitters in home runs and ranking second in RBI. He made 69 starts in center field, 47 starts at first base, 16 starts in left field, and 11 starts in right field, combining for a .990 fielding percentage (7E, 675TC), including a .996 mark at first base (2E, 481TC). The Oakland Athletics? first pick (16th overall) in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Swisher has appeared in 611 career games, batting .244 with 117 doubles, 104 home runs, and 324 RBI. Since 2005, his 334 walks are tied for third-most in the American League while his 102 homers are the fourth-most among Major League switch-hitters. He has also recorded at least 20 doubles and 20 homers in each of the last four seasons. Swisher was acquired by Chicago on January 3, 2008, in exchange for left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez, right-handed pitcher Fautino De Los Santos, and outfielder Ryan Sweeney. ?We?re excited with the addition of Nick Swisher,? said Yankees' Manager Joe Girardi. ?We feel he has a ton of upside. He?s a patient switch-hitter, adds versatility at a number of defensive positions, including first base and the outfield, and will be a positive presence inside the clubhouse.? Texeira, 22, was 6-3 with 21 saves and a 1.33 ERA in 51 combined relief appearances with Single-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham, ranking second among White Sox minor leaguers in saves. He was selected as a Carolina League mid- and postseason All-Star, posting a 3-1 record and a 0.93 ERA with Winston-Salem while recording 20 saves in 23 opportunities. Over his final 22 appearances with the Single-A club (23.1IP), he did not allow an earned run and held opponents to a .176 batting average (15-for-85).