NASHVILLE, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Phillies traded first baseman-outfielder Jeremy Giambi to the Boston Red Sox Sunday for righthander Josh Hancock.
Acquired from Oakland last May, Giambi belted 12 home runs with 28 RBI and a .244 average in 82 games for the Phillies. Starting at four different positions for Philadelphia, the 28-year-old Giambi hit a combined .259 with 20 homers and 45 RBI in 124 contests in 2002.
With Jim Thome entrenched at first base and Travis Lee as a backup for the Phillies, Giambi was left with a reserve outfielder's role. But the younger brother of New York Yankees superstar Jason Giambi, who has a career average of .269 with 47 homers and 194 RBI in 460 games, is expected to battle Brian Daubach for Boston's starting first baseman duties.
"He's going to fit in as a big part of our first base and DH solution," said Boston General Manager Theo Epstein, who made his second trade in four days. "He also can fill in out in left field. It was hard to part with Josh, but it also was hard to pass up this deal."
The 28-year-old Epstein, the league's youngest general manager, acquired second baseman Todd Walker from Cincinnati on Thursday.
Making his major league debut with the Red Sox last September, Hancock went 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA in three appearances, including one start. The 24-year-old posted a combined 7-6 record and 3.56 ERA in 23 games between Class AAA Pawtucket and Class AA Trenton.
