Apparently the Boston Red Sox are not happy with Andrew Bailey as their closer. It's the only logical explanation out there right now for trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that appears to be nearing completion.
According to multiple media reports, the Red Sox and Pirates are working on a deal that will send Joel Hanrahan to Boston for minor leaguers Stolmy Pimentel and Jerry Sands Jr. Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston is reporting that Mark Melancon could be included in the deal as well.
Hanrahan is set to be a free agent after the 2013 season and was 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 36 saves for the Pirates in 2012. He had 40 saves in 2011 for Pittsburgh.
Bailey struggled in his return from a thumb injury suffered during spring training. He was 1-1 with a 7.04 ERA and six saves in 19 games.
Pimentel played the 2012 season with the Portland Sea Dogs where he went 6-7 with a 4.59 ERA in 22 starts. Sands was part of the deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto the Dodgers.
Obviously the Red Sox are doing everything they can to improve their bullpen which had to do yeoman's work last year with the crappy starting pitching they got.
If Bailey isn't traded, he'd likely set up for Hanrahan. I don't see the Red Sox giving up players so Hanrahan can set up. And if Bailey isn't traded, the Red Sox bullpen looks pretty solid for 2013.
I still think the Red Sox need to go out and get some starting pitching depth.
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