12/24/12

Red Sox, Bucs close to deal for Hanrahan | MLB.com: News

Red Sox, Bucs close to deal for Hanrahan

By Evan Drellich / MLB.com | 12/23/12 3:36 PM ET
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00:01:53 MLB.com analyst Jim Duquette talks about the potential trade involving Joel Hanrahan between the Red Sox and the Pirates

A deal that sends Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox was said to be close to done on Saturday evening, with first baseman Jerry Sands and right-hander Stolmy Pimentel part of the package going back to Pittsburgh, baseball sources told MLB.com. It's unclear if physicals will be needed to finish the deal. The trade will not be completed until after Christmas, a source told MLB.com. Andrew Bailey was the Red Sox's presumptive closer entering the offseason, although the acquisition of Hanrahan, 31, could serve to create competition, if not insurance. CBS Sports reported the deal will include four players going to the Pirates and two to the Red Sox. Hanrahan had a 2.72 ERA in 2012 and a 1.83 ERA the year before -- both times earning All-Star selections -- and has tallied 76 saves since 2011. He averages 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings for his career, but he saw his walk rate increase by more than three per nine innings last season, to 5.4. He's arbitration eligible for the final time this year before heading to free agency next winter. A right-hander from Iowa, Hanrahan has spent all of his six Major League seasons in the National League, with the Nationals and Pirates. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington recently denied a need to deal Hanrahan because of his projected $7 million salary and post-2013 free agency, yet conceded a deal could happen to "make the team better." "But we aren't required to do anything," said Huntington, alluding to payroll. "We like our club." Bailey said at the start of December that he was approaching Spring Training as though the closing job were his. "I think I have to," Bailey said. "Right now, I'd think I'm the only guy in that role. I feel, like I said, they traded for me for a reason. Last year was very frustrating on a lot of accounts, and even when I was healthy, I didn't do my job to my fullest expectations or the organization's expectations. I'm taking that into my offseason workout, and knowing that I got to hammer down games for this organization and this team, and we got to get to the playoffs." With Hanrahan in the fold, the Red Sox have upgraded their bullpen this winter with Koji Uehara -- himself a closer at one point -- also in the fold. Lifetime, Hanrahan's held lefties to a .220 average, 30 points lower than right-handed hitters. The deal leaves the Pirates with a void in the closer's role, though Hanrahan said recently he believed Jason Grilli could handle the job. "[Grilli] really turned his career around last season, and we made a pretty good eighth-ninth combo," Hanrahan said. "If I'm not there, I'm sure he will be taking over the ninth inning." Boston needed to clear roster space to officially sign shortstop Stephen Drew and first baseman Mike mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121222&content_id=40780954&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb 1/3

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12/24/12

Red Sox, Bucs close to deal for Hanrahan | MLB.com: News

Napoli -- if a deal does indeed get done with the latter. Closing Napoli's deal has taken more than two weeks so far because of an undisclosed snag in negotiations, possibly related to his health. Sands and Pimentel were both on the 40-man roster. Sands' time in the Sox organization was short-lived. The 25-year-old came over as part of the blockbuster with the Dodgers last summer and had strong numbers at Triple-A last season, hitting .296 with 26 home runs and 107 RBIs. His OPS was .900 there. Pimentel, who will be 23 next season, has been in the Red Sox organization since he signed as a non-drafted free agent in July 2006. He started off strong in the Minors, but hasn't been able to get over the hump in Double-A. Last year, though, was an improvement: he lowered his ERA at Portland to 4.59, making 22 starts. He had a 9.12 ERA with Portland in 2011.
Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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go_bucs 1 hour ago

Seriously???????? The Pirates claim to be trying to win, but they spend $14 to a player with THESE stats last season? Liriano was 6-12 with a 5.34 ERA in 2012. OR, these stats in his entire career? He's 53-54 with a 4.40 ERA in six full seasons. "Liriano marks the second big free-agent acquisition of the past month for the Pirates; catcher Russell Martin signed a two-year, $17 million deal." And they commit $17 million to a catcher??? Last season, Martin's OPS was .713, while Michael McKenry's was .766! BUT, they need to trade Joel Hanrahan, partially because he will make around $7 million? Here are his stats: 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 36 saves, along with a 10.1 strikeouts to 9 innings ratio and 2 consecutive all star appearances. With math like this, a 21st consecutive losing season seems guaranteed.
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BaseballWatcher 1 hour ago

This is a what if, but the Sox could be really good next year, if the following occurs: Lester and Bucholz bounce back and take the 1 - 2 slots in rotation Doubront continues to pitch well and stay strong through the full season Lackey comes back decent (that is all you can ask for from him) Dempster comes in and throws quality innings and wins 10-15 games And for the hitting side: Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Ortiz step up as proven leaders Victorino and Napoli show their deals are worth it If Salty gets the at-bats, he gets 20-30 home runs Middlebrooks has no set back from wrist issue And lastly, if sox go out and get another left hitting outfielder who can play when right handed pitchers and pitching. This will allow Gomes to be a primirary hitter from a left hander. If all of this comes through, then the Sox could be in business

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12/24/12

Red Sox, Bucs close to deal for Hanrahan | MLB.com: News

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SufferingJaysFan 6 minutes ago in reply to BaseballWatcher

Geez, I thought that we had alot of what if's. I see that were not alone.
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1nesportsfan 1 hour ago in reply to BaseballWatcher

You forgot to mention our bullpen. We have a pretty good one I hear. As to Napoli, I don't know if that deal will go through. You forgot Stephen Drew. If he has a bounce back year like he is really capbable of, along with what you mentioned then the RS could/will be in business.
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ReminisceB34 1 hour ago

Finally, a closer that might not blow more than half of his save chances. I, ReminisceB34, approve of the trade.
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SufferingJaysFan 3 minutes ago in reply to ReminisceB34

I agree, good move for u guys. Your pen looks pretty decent. You just need your horses to pull there weight and get u 6 or 7 good innings.
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go_bucs 1 hour ago

Please tell me that MLB is going to step in and stop the Pirates owners from trading major league talent for minor leaguers every year. It's obvious that they are intentionally losing. The Pirates pitching could have been fine if no pitching changes were made except the addition of Taillon, and the catching situation would have been fine with McEnry. Instead of getting a first baseman who can hit (like claiming Adrian Gonzalez when he was waived by the Red Sox last year) or signing a real hitter like Josh Hamilton, we are going to overpay for useless Liriano and Martin, plus trade away a top notch closer for minor leaguers. The Red Sox have got to love the Pirates. Only the Bucs would trade Jason Bay for Andy LaRoche, and only they would trade a good closer for prospects. Teams that are winners ADD top-notch major leaguers and SUBTRACT overpaid hacks like Liriano and Martin. Every year, the Pirates are EMBARRASSING, and MLB does nothing to help Pirate fans or the integrity of the game by stopping the Pirates from rebuilding
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commenter 56 minutes ago in reply to go_bucs

agree with most,except McKenry,dime a dozen player.
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28Next 1 hour ago

I thought Bailey was the answer at closer??? I see issues coming in the nasty Nation
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redbulldog 2 hours ago

I would like to see Acevees be a mid game reliever. He has the ability to pitch multiple innings. Then Hanrahan and Bailey can battle it out for closing spot. With Bard in the mix that leaves several options for seventh and eight innings when good set-up men are needed. Another good move by Cherington. Look forward to 2013 season
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