Red Sox acquire Joel Hanrahan; named closer for 2013

[homie564]

I really hate that Sands is in this deal.

I'm sure I'm probably on an island on this one, but when Jerry Sands is a Paul Konerko clone we'll all regret this one.

jerry sands will not be a potential hall of fame first baseman.. I think a better comparison might be a james Loney type who strikes out more often lol. A journeyman most likely. Or best case scenerio, he's Adam Lind with slightly more on base ability (.750 or so OPS).

[BGeer091]

If Sands is the best talent we give up this is worth doing. He's pretty much irrelevant on this team. I guess the Pirates really don't want to pay Hanrahan's arbitration salary.

I was hoping that Sands would be given a chance here, but I agree that if he is the main piece you have to do it.

[GrkGawdofWalkz]

Jerry Sands is a Paul Konerko clone. Woah, where did that comp. come from. Sands is someone I won't regret losing at all.

[bagwell368]

I really hate that Sands is in this deal.

I'm sure I'm probably on an island on this one, but when Jerry Sands is a Paul Konerko clone we'll all regret this one.

Not sure I'd go that far, but he's easy to argue as a more convincing ML player long term than Iglesias.

[Nomar]

We aren't all in. More like Cherington keeping cry babies at bay, and waiting to make his real power move for contention in 2015.

[-Lavigne43-]

Does this trade mean that Ben perceives this group as contenders? Why else would you trade for a 1-year closer?
I disagree with him, but Hanrahan could have value if he's performing and we are out by the DL.

If he's doing well you can trade him mid season, when teams are the most desperate for bullpen help. I'm concerned about his walk rates last year, and his very low babip reverting, but he has a high ceiling. His 2010-2011 seasons were very good, and he has very good stuff. If all we are giving up is spare parts then this is a good trade for us. It also helps clear the 40 man roster.

[xnick5757]

JIM BOWDEN ‏@JimBowdenESPNxm
Pimental and Sands are both in Hanrahan deal according to Pirates source

[Nomar]

Hanrahan, Bailey, Bard, Uehara, Tazawa, Miller, Morales, Breslow, Melancon, Aceves, Mortensen, Carpenter, and Wilson are guys who are all ready to contribute to the pen. Atch/Hill may be resigned too. Stacked bullpen. Potentially historically so. There needs to be a trade or two though. I personally doubt Aceves is back.

[xnick5757]

Hanrahan, Bailey, Bard, Uehara, Tazawa, Miller, Morales, Breslow, Melancon, Aceves, Mortensen, Carpenter, and Wilson are guys who are all ready to contribute to the pen. Atch/Hill may be resigned too. Stacked bullpen. Potentially historically so.

and they are going to need it with this rotation

[quinnjack]

Lol I'd be sorry too, but there's no way.

Konerko has really low K rates which lets his power really play up. Sands may have equal raw power to Konerko, but his swing and miss problems will always hold him back from being Konerko, and probably from being a starting player as well.

Paul Konerko in 1999 (AAA, AAA, MLB, MLB) - 21 HR, 94 RBI, 46/70 BB/K, .271 combine BA, .380 combine OBP - Looked over matched at MLB level.

Jerry Sands in 2012 - (AAA, MLB) - 26 HR, 108 RBI, 60/117 BB/K, .289 combine BA, .373 combine OBP - Looked over matched at the MLB level.

[-Lavigne43-]

Pimental too? That's great. He's a headcase that's almost out of options, looks like a reliever at best, and is a 40-man clogger.

[homie564]

Pimental?? They want him? Sweet. As much as Hanrahan doesn't really turn me on this is sounding like a no brainer for us.

[xnick5757]

so with this trade we are likely over the lux tax threshold, right?

[Nomar]

Too bad we had to give up Paul Konerko in this trade...

Oh well i guess its still okay for us.

[grandsalami]

so with this trade we are likely over the lux tax threshold, right?

first time offense... Last year we were NOT (only yankees were)