Former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep Ryan Sweeney was traded Wednesday from the Oakland Athletics to the Boston Red Sox as part of a five-player deal.

Oakland sent Sweeney and pitcher Andrew Bailey to Boston for outfielder Josh Reddick, and minor league infielder Miles Head and pitcher Raul Alcantara.

Sweeney has a .283 career batting average in six major league seasons, the last four with the Oakland Athletics. He batted .265 with one home run and 25 RBI last season in a limited role as Oakland's fourth outfielder.

Sweeney told the San Francisco Chronicle that he had talked to Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine and General Manager Ben Cherington about his new role with the Red Sox. He said they told him his line-drive swing is well-suited for Fenway Park.

"I'm looking forward to playing for a winning team," Sweeney told The Chronicle. "And hopefully winning a championship."

Sweeney, 26, broke into the major leagues in 2006 with the Chicago White Sox. He was a second round pick of the White Sox in the 2003 first year player draft out of Xavier High School.