KANSAS CITY -- Marlon Byrd became the Rangers regular center fielder on Friday after the club traded outfielder Kenny Lofton to the Cleveland Indians for Minor League catcher Max Ramirez.

The Rangers also recalled outfielder Nelson Cruz from Triple-A for Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals and will give him a chance to play right field again.

Ramirez is a former infielder who was converted to catcher by the Atlanta Braves in 2005. He was then traded to the Indians on July 20, 2006 for reliever Bob Wickman. A native of Venezuela, Ramirez played for the World Team in the 2007 MLB All-Star Futures Game.

General manager Jon Daniels said the Rangers made the trade both to add a top offensive prospect to their Minor League system and to take the next two months to evaluate Byrd in center and Cruz in right.

"Max Ramirez is a player that we like," Daniels said. "Our scouts like his bat and he's performed at a very high level in the Minor Leagues. Max's bat is going to allow him to play in the big leagues and we think he can stay behind the plate."

Ramirez joins a crowded field of catching prospects in the lower levels of the Minors, a group that includes Class A Bakersfield's Taylor Teagarden and Class A Clinton's Manny Pina.

"That's not a bad thing," Daniels said. "For me it's like the Draft. You don't draft for need, you draft the best players. You don't trade for prospects for need unless they're close to the big leagues. As we talked to other clubs and identified the best players available, Ramirez was a guy we liked. Anytime you can add depth to a position up the middle, especially with a hitter, that's not a bad thing."

Ramirez, 22, has been playing for Class A Kinston (N.C.) in the Carolina League batting .303 with 20 doubles, 12 home runs and 62 RBIs in 77 games. Among Carolina League leaders this season he ranked second in on-base percentage (.418), third in RBIs (62) and fourth in average (.303) and slugging percentage (.505).

He will be assigned to Bakersfield. Ramirez needs work defensively but Daniels said catching instruction is a strength in the organization. Farm director Scott Servais, roving catching instructor Damon Berryhill and Rangers third base coach Don Wakamatsu are all former Major League catchers.

trade deadline 2007

Byrd was signed in the offseason to be Lofton's backup in center field but had defensive problems in Spring Training and was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma to start the season.

He was recalled on May 26 and has made a huge impact offensively, hitting .350 with three home runs and 34 RBIs in 54 games and 200 at-bats. He has a .399 on-base percentage and a .510 slugging percentage and has suddenly positioned himself to be the Rangers center fielder of the future.

"Since he's come back he's shown improvement," Daniels said. "He's made plays that not many guys on our club can make. I say we're going to evaluate him but I think we're going to like what we see."

Cruz is basically in the same position he was a year ago when the Rangers acquired him from the Milwaukee Brewers. He will get the last two months of the season to prove that he can be the Rangers right fielder of the future.

Cruz started the season with the Rangers and hit .188 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 43 games and 144 at-bats. He was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma on June 5 and, using a more open stance suggested by roving hitting instructor Mike Boulanger, he was hitting .352 with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs in 45 games and 162 at-bats.

"I was standing straight, and they opened me a little bit and I can see the ball much better," Cruz said. "[I used to] turn my head and only see the ball with one eye. Now, I see it much better."

"The other thing is his confidence is back," Daniels said. "Obviously he struggled early on and it snowballed. He struggled, his confidence dropped and one thing led to another. He went down, worked hard and had some success. We're going to give him an opportunity to show what he can do."

The Rangers are likely to do more evaluating as the season progresses. Daniels said Friday that Jason Botts, who is having a big season at Oklahoma, could be in the Majors "shortly." The Rangers are trying to find a new home for Sammy Sosa but there is nothing imminent.

The Rangers are also continuing trade discussions on a number of their players, most notably first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Atlanta Braves have been most active in their talks with the Rangers.

Lofton was hitting .303 with a .380 on-base percentage while leading the Rangers with 62 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.

"Kenny was outstanding for us," Daniels said. "This guy can still play at a high level and gave us a high level of performance while he was here. We also got a nice player in return."