11/05/24
December 27, 2012
Hanrahan and Holt for Melancon, Pimentel, De Jesus and Sands: The Boston Red Sox have acquired closer Joel Hanrahan and second baseman Brock Holt from the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielders Mark Melancon and Stolmy Pimentel and infielders Ivan De Jesus and Jerry Sands. Hanrahan, 31, closed 76 games the past two seasons and is a two-time All Star.
A potentially decent closer for what might be a good late-inning bullpen piece and 3 warm bodies. Hanrahan's performance has fallen off a bit lately, but he still can better than what Andrew Bailey promises. Holt is not an answer for anything, but could be a valuable reserve. Melancon was terrible for Boston last year, DeJesus and Sands came over from LA in the great salary dump of 2011, and Pimental was not expected to do much. All in all, it's not the trade of the year, but it could make Boston's bullpen better (and it is already pretty good). The key to winning the AL East and going deep into the postseason? Hardly!
posted by Howard_T at 05:41 PM on December 27, 2012
Hanrahan's performance has fallen off a bit lately, but he still can better than what Andrew Bailey promises
I don't see it: Bailey, Hanrahan. They've been about as valuable over their careers (by WAR), but Hanrahan has two more years of service. They seem about the same to me. Feels like a decent bit of insurance for a low price.
posted by yerfatma at 10:39 AM on December 28, 2012
Age is all the Red Sox need to fix their bullpen.