Red Sox name a new closer

Nice pick up by Boston, considering they gave up really nothing. But where were the Tigers or Angels, who have spent a ton of money to put a championship team on the field, but still have a hole in the 9th inning ?

Yeah, when you acquire a guy, you intend for him to play. He and Bailey will do okay at the back of the pen.

What about Bard?

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:49 AM ET  12.27 by ...the best policy

Yeah, when you acquire a guy, you intend for him to play. He and Bailey will do okay at the back of the pen.What about Bard?

If Bailey can stay healthy and pitch well, he could be a valuable guy to trade at the deadline to a contending team who needs a closer.

Bailey took the news, "like a pro," and added that he still sees an important role for the reliever.

Yup...sounds like trade bait to me.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:41 AM ET  12.27 by jnorman41

Nice pick up by Boston, considering they gave up really nothing. But where were the Tigers or Angels, who have spent a ton of money to put a championship team on the field, but still have a hole in the 9th inning ?

And once again, Pirates fans are left shaking their heads.

Hanrahan is more of a strike-out/walk style pitcher than Melancon, which means he may play better in Fenway. Melancon pitches to contact more; he may do better in Pittsburgh than he did in Fenway. Melancon has a career 2.85 ERA in the NL compared to Hanrahan's 3.74 and is 27 rather than 31. So Pittsburgh got younger and cheaper, while Boston got older and more expensive, but Boston has money to burn while Pittsburgh doesn't. Seems like a reasonable trade.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:49 AM ET  12.27 by ...the best policy

What about Bard?

Need we repeat? You can never, ever have too much pitching.

Bard got all out of whack when Farrell went to the Jaybirds and the Keystone Kops were running Red Sox pitching. He will be a project, but I think he can be rehabilitated. And when/if he is, he'll be another valuable piece in the bullpen.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:24 AM ET  12.27 by Traded to Seattle

Melancon pitches to contact more; he may do better in Pittsburgh than he did in Fenway.

He sure as hell can't do any worse.......................

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:24 AM ET  12.27 by Traded to Seattle

Melancon has a career 2.85 ERA in the NL

That's a ridiculously small sample size (91 innings over 2 years) in a very weak division of the NL. Meanwhile Hanrahan is a known quantity in what was a very tough division in the NL.

Melancon stunk in the Bronx, and stunk in Fenway. I don't expect him to fill Hanrahan's shoes. But you are correct in that the Pirates got out of a salary obligation they probably weren't willing to take on, and got a few scraps for it.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:22 AM ET  12.27 by The Moose

And once again, Pirates fans are left shaking their heads.

Not as much as Miami fans.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:22 AM ET  12.27 by The Moose

And once again, Pirates fans are left shaking their heads.

Pirates fans should be used to this by now.

Solid pickup. Power arm. This guy can get it done every day. Wonder what Bailey's role will be....a trade perhaps?

and the red sox are looking very alike, the team still getting as meny player

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 11:57 AM ET  12.27 by Mondo Jay

Solid pickup. Power arm. This guy can get it done every day. Wonder what Bailey's role will be....a trade perhaps?

it seems bailey should be traded to the A's or the mariners

Hanrahan is one of those pitchers that I would be scared of acquiring if I'm an AL team, especially if I'm counting on him to be a closer. He's a flyball pitcher with pretty good numbers but doesn't really have lights out stuff nor great control (36 BBs in 59 innings and a 1.27 WHIP). Now that may be good enough to be a decent closer in the AL Central, but how does that translate to the AL East where the parks are smaller, the lineups are better, and the pressure is greater?

I think you keep bailey, try to take some pressure off of the rotation, maybe allow them more rest.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 12:23 PM ET  12.27 by Amuro Ray

Hanrahan is one of those pitchers that I would be scared of acquiring if I'm an AL team,

Don't let fear control you....

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 12:23 PM ET  12.27 by Amuro Ray

Hanrahan is one of those pitchers that I would be scared of acquiring if I'm an AL team, especially if I'm counting on him to be a closer. He's a flyball pitcher with pretty good numbers but doesn't really have lights out stuff nor great control (36 BBs in 59 innings and a 1.27 WHIP). Now that may be good enough to be a decent closer in the AL Central, but how does that translate to the AL East where the parks are smaller, the lineups are better, and the pressure is greater?

Two types of closers, good closers. Ones with overpowering stuff, and those that throw the ball off the plate and try and get the batter to get themselves out. Only the former are truly reliable.