The first Red Sox trade of the 2008 season!  I should warn you, it doesn't have the luster of a big name blockbuster, but MLB Trade Rumors reported earlier today that the Sox acquired 28 year old Eric Hull from the Dodgers in exchange for Single A SS Christian Lara.  Lara impressed with his speed and plus defense, but the Sox sold high on him because it looked like his bat wouldn't come around enough to allow him to progress significantly through the minor league ranks.  In 2007 at Triple A Las Vegas, Hull pitched 65 2/3 innings and amassed a 4-3 record and 81 K's to go with his 2.74 ERA.  Hull will be placed in extended spring training for now and will almost certainly see at least a small amount of time with the big club this season.  Soxprospects.com says Hull has a deceptive delivery and solid control, something that's been eluding the Sox bullpen so far this season.

In other Red Sox minor league news, Boston Sports Buzz senior writer You A Bad Mang told me that Austin Bailey, the Sox's only 2007 high school pitching draftee to make a full season minor league club, hurt his shoulder pitching last night... just something to keep an eye on as the Sox are apparently pretty high on this kid (as evidenced by both his making a full season squad and his $285K signing bonus).