Pirates to get four players in the trade as Hanrahan is to be traded to Red Sox – MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a relatively quiet offseason, so it appeared. That is changing now.
Sunday brought the news of the club being in talks with the Boston Red Sox over a trade that would send two players to the latter, getting the Bucs a total of four.
Jerry Sands, right-hander Stolmy Pimentel and Mark Melancon are the three names which have popped up so far who are to be part of the Pirates in this trade. Joel Hanrahan, the Bucs closer will be an invaluable addition to the Red Sox.
Hanrahan had a total of 76 saves to his credit for the Pirates in last two years, winning place in the All-Star competition in 2011 and 2011. In 2012, Hanrahan earned a total of $4.1 million, and can have up to $7 million in salary arbitration.
After the Pittsburgh Pirates got Jason Grilli – for two-year contract, and recently coming to terms with Francisco Liriano, it had become somewhat clear that Grilli would be used as the closer in MLB `13.
Hanrahan, on the other hand, can replace Andrew Bailey – the Red Sox closer who missed a significant number of games in 2012 due to the injury. Once the player returned, he struggled, and did not pitch the way he was expected to.
On the other hand, Pimentel - who the Bucs are going to acquire, has been on the path of improvement. After he was signed as non-drafted free agent in July 2006 by the Red Sox, he held 9.12 ERA while being with Portland in 2011, lowering it to 4.59 this
past season.
Sands, could be a good addition to the offence given the performance he has exhibited. Being with the Dodgers last summer, the player had .296 batting average with 107 RBIs and 26 homers.
The trade is expected to consummate after the Christmas as multiple reports suggested that there were no chances of its being completed before that. Once done, the two teams will have a different defensive and offensive outlook in MLB `13.
The fans, especially the ones who follow the Pirates, now await the good news
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