05/29/2003 2:35 PM ET
D-Backs, Red Sox close to deal
Arizona would get Hillenbrand in exchange for Kim
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks and Red Sox appear to be close to a deal that would send pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim to Boston in exchange for third baseman Shea Hillenbrand.
"There's nothing to officially announce right now," said Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said when reached by phone.
The trade would fill the Diamondbacks' need for additional offense, while the Red Sox could use Kim as a starter or closer. The right-hander was Arizona's closer during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, before moving to the rotation this season.
The deal is reportedly pending the approval of Arizona managing general partner, Jerry Colangelo.
The Diamondbacks are 12th in the National League in runs scored, ahead of just the Pirates, Mets, Padres and Dodgers.
Hillenbrand, who was born in Mesa, Ariz., is batting .303 this season and his 38 RBIs would lead the Diamondbacks, outdistancing Luis Gonzalez's 29. The Diamondbacks have primarily used Matt Williams and Craig Counsell at third base this season, but Counsell is out with a torn ligament in his thumb and Williams has struggled, hitting just .241.
The 27-year-old Hillenbrand batted .293 with 18 homers and 83 RBIs for the Red Sox last season.
Kim was removed from the disabled list Tuesday and allowed just one run on five hits in seven innings against the Giants in San Francisco. The right-hander had been on the DL with a bruised right ankle, suffered when he was hit with the barrel of a broken bat last month. Overall he is 1-5, but has a 3.56 ERA.
The 24-year-old Kim saved 19 games for the Diamondbacks in 2001 after taking over the closer duties when Matt Mantei was injured, and followed that up with 36 saves in 2002. With the healthy return of Mantei this year, Kim was given a chance to be a starter during Spring Training and earned a spot in the rotation.
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
