Boston ? Todd Walker became Boston’s regular second baseman Thursday when he was obtained from the Cincinnati Reds in Theo Epstein’s first trade as the general manager of the Red Sox.

Walker, only seven months older than the 28-year-old Epstein, replaces Rey Sanchez, who became a free agent after not being offered arbitration.

Boston gave up two minor leaguers for Walker, who has a .292 batting average in seven seasons with Minnesota, Colorado and Cincinnati. The players going to the Reds will be identified within six months and do not depend on Walker’s performance in Boston, Epstein said.

Walker hit .299 with 11 homers in 155 games last season. An average fielder much of his career, he led NL second basemen with a .989 fielding percentage last season. He has one year left on his contract at $3.4 million in addition to $450,000 in incentive bonuses and $475,000 in award bonuses.

“I don’t look at it as my first trade,” Epstein said. “That would be really selfish. I just look at it as a chance for the organization to get better.”

Walker has hit leadoff, but Epstein said center fielder Johnny Damon likely would continue in that spot, although the decision will be made by manager Grady Little.

Walker is “a very good everyday player at a position of need at a reasonable cost,” Epstein said.