Reds trade OF Hamilton to Rangers

Dec 22, 2007 - 12:54 AM ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Josh Hamilton is on the move again.

The Cincinnati Reds traded Hamilton on Friday to the Texas Rangers for righthander Edinson Volquez and a minor league pitcher.

Hamilton, 26, batted .292 this past season with 19 home runs and 47 RBI in 90 games with the Reds.

Hamilton was an early frontrunner to win Comeback Player of the Year before being slowed by several injuries. The 6-4, 230-pound Hamilton missed time because of wrist and hamstring injuries, as well as gastroenteritis.

"It's an exciting day for the Rangers family," Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels said. "The addition of Josh Hamilton gives us another youthful, charismatic and impactful player to build around. We expect Josh will be a critical part of a bright Rangers future."

The top overall draft selection of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999, Hamilton's promising career was slowed by alcohol and drug addiction. The outfielder was acquired by the Reds in the 2006 Rule V Draft.

Meanwhile, Volquez was a September callup and posted a 2-1 record with a 4.50 ERA in 34 innings for the Rangers in 2007.

The 24-year-old went 14-6 with a 3.67 ERA in 26 starts in stints with all three minor league levels.

Danny Ray Herrera, 23, was the other pitcher involved in the deal. Herrera went 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA in 34 relief appearances with Class AA Frisco, and posted a 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA in six games - one start - with Class A Bakersfield.