BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox acquired right-hander Dustin Hermanson from the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday in exchange for three minor leaguers.

	Dustin Hermanson Starting Pitcher Boston Red Sox Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L Sv K ERA 33 14 13 0 123 4.45

"Dustin Hermanson is a hard-throwing quality right-hander," Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette said. "He'll be a solid and dependable addition to our rotation behind Pedro Martinez."

The Cardinals got outfielder Rick Asadoorian and first basemen Luis Garcia and Dustin Brisson.

"It was difficult to trade Dustin," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said, "but with our excess of pitching, we felt it was the right thing to do in order to create some payroll flexibility that will allow us to pursue an everyday player. In addition, we get three quality prospects to help replenish our farm system."

Hermanson, 28, was 14-13 with a 4.45 ERA last season, matching a career high for wins. In his first season with St. Louis, he pitched six innings or more in 22 of his 33 starts and worked into the seventh inning and beyond in 13 starts.

Hermanson gives Boston a replacement for Hideo Nomo as a potential No. 2 starter. He's a younger, cheaper alternative to 37-year-old free agent John Burkett, who is seeking $15 million over three years.

Hermanson will earn about $6 million next season, the final year of his contract. Boston has an option for 2003.

"We have filled our need for a quality starting pitcher," Duquette said. "His addition and his dependability as a starter gives us a better platform to take a look at some of the other needs on our team."

Hermanson was particularly strong in the second half of the season when he won eight of his 14 starts and had a 3.16 ERA.

He is 61-61 with a 4.22 ERA in 155 starts and 48 relief appearances in the major leagues.

Hermanson also pitched for Montreal from 1997-00 and San Diego from 1995-96. He was a reliever with San Diego and was converted to a starter after joining Montreal.

Garcia hit .310 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI in 63 games for Class AA Trenton last season. Brisson and Asadoorian both played at Class A. Brisson hit .295 with 53 RBI in 90 games, and Asadoorian hit .212 with 40 RBI in 47 games.