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Rangers Acquire Hamilton

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The Associated Press

Published: December 22, 2007

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Cincinnati Reds traded Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers on Friday for pitchers Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera, using their surplus of outfielders to shore up a weakness.

Former Rays outfielder Hamilton, 26, was one of baseball's best comeback stories last season, when he finally made it to the majors after years of alcohol and drug abuse nearly ended his career. He batted .292 in his first major-league season with 19 homers and 47 RBIs in 298 at-bats.

Hamilton showed why he was the first overall pick by Tampa Bay in the 1999 draft, displaying his speed, power and defense. His season was interrupted by an inflamed digestive tract and a sprained wrist, but he still received 151,000 write-in votes for the All-Star Game, the top total in the NL.

He was out of baseball from 2003-06, going through eight rehab programs for addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine. He has been clean more than two years, allowing him to get his life in order and resume his career.

The Reds got him in the Rule 5 draft before last season. Hamilton was warmly received in Cincinnati, where he readily shared his life story and became a fan favorite. He was expendable because the Reds already have outfielders Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Ryan Freel.

LEGAL: Former All-Star pitcher Matt Keough remained jailed Friday in Newport Beach, Calif., four days after he was arrested for violating his parole by binge drinking at a hotel bar.

ROCKIES: Filled a vacancy in their bullpen by agreeing to a $7.5 million, two-year contract with right-hander Luis Vizcaino.

Vizcaino was 8-2 with a 4.30 ERA with the Yankees last season.

WHITE SOX: Cuban slugger Alexei Ramirez has agreed to a deal. He batted .335 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs last season.

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