Red Sox Acquire Joel Hanrahan, Brock Holt in Six-Player Trade With Pirates

by NESN Staff on Wed, Dec 26, 2012 at 1:01PM

The Red Sox have their man.

The team’s trade for Joel Hanrahan was made official on Wednesday, as the Red Sox announced that they have acquired the Pirates closer along with infielder Brock Holt in a six-player trade between the two teams.

Mark Melancon, Stolmy Pimentel, Jerry Sands and Ivan De Jesus will be heading to Pittsburgh as part of the deal.

Hanrahan, 31, went 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 2012, compiling 36 saves in 40 chances with 67 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings. He ranks fourth among National League relievers over the last two years with 76 saves and a 2.24 ERA, while also holding opponents to a .205 batting average over that time period.

Holt spent the majority of 2012 in the minor leagues for the Pirates, with most of that time coming in Double-A ball. However, the ninth-round draft pick was called up to the big leagues in September, where he hit .292 in 24 games.

Melancon is the lone big leaguer heading to Pittsburgh, joining a trio of minor league prospects in shipping out of Boston. Sands and De Jesus were acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a midseason trade last season, while Pimentel has spent six years in the Sox’ minor league system since signing as an international free agent. Melancon finished 2012 strong out of the bullpen, posting a 0.90 ERA in September and October for the Red Sox.