Rangers send Volquez to Reds for Josh Hamilton

[kepdawg]

Hamilton dealt from Reds to Rangers
Cincinnati gets Volquez, Minor League pitcher in return
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

The Rangers acquired outfielder Josh Hamilton from the Reds on Friday in exchange for right-hander Edinson Volquez and Minor League left-hander Danny Herrera.

Texas will have a press conference later in the day to announce the deal.

Hamilton was quite a feel-good story early last season. Acquired by Cincinnati from Tampa Bay via a Rule 5 Draft trade, the 26-year-old -- who had been troubled throughout his career as a professional by drug and legal problems -- got off to an impressive start.

A sprained wrist and a hamstring injury caused him to miss a good chunk of the second half of the season. He finished the season with a .292 batting average and had 19 home runs and 47 RBIs in 90 games.

The hard-throwing, 24-year-old Volquez fanned 166 batters while going 14-6 at three Minor League stops last season.

Herrera, 23, appeared in seven games for Class A Bakersfield and 34 games for Double-A Frisco. All of his appearances for Frisco were in relief, and he allowed 43 hits and struck out 64 in 52 1/3 innings.

LINK (http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2335816&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex)

[ASUFrisbeeStud]

Why do the Rangers trade every pitching prospect they have?

[kepdawg]

Originally posted by ASUFrisbeeStud
Why do the Rangers trade every pitching prospect they have?

Maybe they need more hitting!

[Adidas410s]

well we needed an outfielder...but one with a proven track record. Trading away a top pitching prospect for a risky outfielder isn't really a gain...

[VWG]

I don't know if Hamilton is that risky. Seems to have turned things around. Volquez is still unproven. Had decent starts in the majors last year, but still unproven.
The Herrera kid that was thrown in the deal to the Reds used to play at Odessa Permian. Guy has an awesome change up. Throws it like he is coming out of his shoes and it just floats up there.
On any trade, only time will tell if it was a good deal or not.

[coach]

this is a great trade for the rangers...josh is a dangerous hitter and has a golden arm for the outfield....while edison was up and down from the minors and he will be nothing better than a long relief pitcher i expect big things from josh especially in the friendly field he will play in

[SintonFan_inAustin]

Those pitchers just got their chance to be pitching stars in the Majors. They stink it up as Rangers, but shine with other teams.:mad: whoopie we have another hitter:rolleyes:

[jimmyceatworld]

In the next draft, the Rangers should select all pitchers. That way they might find a decent one.

[mrescape43]

Originally posted by ASUFrisbeeStud
Why do the Rangers trade every pitching prospect they have?

Exactly!