Hanrahan saved 76 games over the last two seasons for the Pirates
The Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates have reached an agreement on a trade that would send closer Joel Hanrahan and another player to Pittsburgh for outfield/first baseman prospect Jerry Sands and minor league right-hander Stolmy Pimentel.
Pittsburgh will receive two other players who have yet to be named.
Hanrahan made $4.1 million in 2012 and will be due a significant raise in arbitration, likely in the $7 million range.
Hanrahan is coming off back-to-back all-star worthy seasons in which he posted a 2.24 ERA overall and converted 76 out of 84 save chances. Jason Grilli who re-signed with the Pirates earlier this month takes over as the Pirates closer.
Hanrahan would serve as insurance for Boston in the event that incumbent closer Andrew Bailey, who was acquired in a trade with Oakland last season, struggles.
Bailey missed most of last season with an injury and finished with a 7.04 ERA in 19 games, earning six saves.
Hanrahan features a high-octane fastball and adds another power arm to the Boston bullpen.
Sands hit .296 with 26 home runs and 107 RBIs at Triple-A last season.
Sands came to Boston as part of the blockbuster deal made with the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer.
Sands 25, will get his first real opportunity at the major-league level with Pittsburgh. The 6’4″ slugger and 55 home runs in 940 plate appearances the past two years in AAA.
Pimentel pitched in Class AA last season striking out 86 batters in 115 2/3 innings of work with a 5.96 ERA, and was once a highly touted prospect in the Red Sox organization
Pittsburgh first baseman/outfielder Garrett Jones may become expendable in this deal.
Jones hit 27 home runs in 2012 and made $2.25 million.
He is scheduled for arbitration after next season, and Pittsburgh has first baseman Gaby Sanchez who was acquired from the Miami Marlins last season.
