After hearing on Sunday that there will be no news on the Pirates and Red Sox deal for Joel Hanrahan until after Christmas, we hear news this afternoon from Peter Gammons on Twitter that the deal is done. No details as of yet, but if he is saying the deal is done, I’d expect them shortly. -JD
They were right. The Hanrahan deal was finished after Christmas, as in done today, Boxing Day
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) December 26, 2012
UPDATE 12:35pm: Ken Rosenthal confirms deal is done and players involved are being told before it is announced. -JD
Sources: Hanrahan trade is done. Players involved being informed by #RedSox and #Pirates. Don't know exact names yet.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 26, 2012
UPDATE 12:45 PM: Rosenthal reports three of the players coming back to the Pirates are known. -TW
Source: Melancon is among players going from #RedSox to #Pirates for Hanrahan, as previously reported. Sands, Pimentel also in, per reports.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 26, 2012
UPDATE 12:47 PM: Jon Heyman reports Brock Holt is the second player going to Boston. -TW
#redsox announce they have acquired hanrahan and brock holt in 6 player trade
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 26, 2012
UPDATE 12:48 PM: Heyman has the last name, Ivan De Jesus, who is a middle infielder. -TW
dejesus is other names to #pirates
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 26, 2012
UPDATE 12:49 PM: The Pirates have officially announced the trade. -TW
UPDATE 12:51 PM: For some background on each player coming back, here are links to their player pages on Sox Prospects.
The only one who wasn’t on the 40-man roster was DeJesus. The Pirates will have to create a spot on the 40-man roster, which will come later today. -TW
UPDATE 1:32 PM: In the Pirates Press Release regarding the trade, GM Neal Huntington had this to say on the players coming back:
Mark Melancon
“Mark Melancon has been a quality major league reliever with closing experience who displays key subjective and objective indicators as a candidate to bounce back from a challenging 2012 season. Similar to
when we acquired Joel Hanrahan, our scouts saw a quality pitch package that was not accurately reflected by his present level of performance. Mark will be a solid addition to our bullpen.”
Jerry Sands
“Jerry Sands has impressed our scouts with his well-rounded tools package, highlighted by his ability to command the strike zone as a hitter and drive the ball for extra base hit potential. Additionally, his defensive versatility will increase his opportunity to contribute to our major league club in the near term as well as in the years to come.”
Stolmy Pimentel
“Stolmy Pimentel is a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher with a quality pitch package as well as several other traits of major league starting pitchers. We believe we can help Stolmy reach his potential as a quality major league pitcher.”
Ivan DeJesus
“Ivan DeJesus is a versatile and reliable defender who can handle the bat and will compete to make our major league club in an extra infielder role.”
UPDATE: 2:15 PM: Huntington’s thoughts on the trade of the Pirates All-Star closer and how he feels it will affect the team this year:
“While acknowledging that trading Joel Hanrahan was a difficult decision, we are pleased that the direct result will be the addition of three players who will very likely impact our major league club this season plus a pitcher who will add to our deep and talented pitching prospect base.”
