It certainly doesn't qualify as a blockbuster, but the Red Sox have made a move prior to opening their series in Seattle on Thursday, acquiring veteran infielder Jack Hannahan from the Mariners for a player to be named later and cash, according to various reports.
Hannahan has spent all of 2010 with Seattle's Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma, batting .228 with five homers in 63 games. He will likely head to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The 30-year-old, who came up with Detroit in 2006 and played parts of three seasons in Oakland before joining the Mariners in a trade last July, is a career .224 hitter.
Hannahan hit .218 with nine homers and 47 RBIs with the A's in 2008, his only full season in the majors.
The acquisition will provide some minor league infield depth for the Sox, who just this week got infielder Jed Lowrie back into the fold but remain thin. Hannahan has primarily played third base in both the majors and minors but has also appeared at first, second and shortstop at both levels.
Hannahan figures to be an insurance policy at third base.
Boston's regular third baseman, Adrian Beltre, has been bothered for several days with a sore left hamstring. Bill Hall, the next healthy option at third, has been the primary second baseman in the wake of Dustin Pedroia's injury. And Mike Lowell, the team's starting third baseman the previous four years, is just beginning a rehab assignment at Pawtucket and has appeared in only 31 games in 2010, just four at the hot corner.
