They were right. The Hanrahan deal was finished after Christmas, as in done today, Boxing Day

 

Sources: Hanrahan trade is done. Players involved being informed by #RedSox and#Pirates. Don't know exact names yet.

 

 

so we got brock holt with hanrahan...and we gave up dejesus as the 4th player.

In response to mrmojo1120's comment:

Hanrahan +1 to Red Sox

Sands, Pimental, Melancon +1 to Pirates

That was the latest I heard.

11:50am: The Red Sox will receive Hanrahan and infielder Brock Holt for Sands, Pimentel, Melancon, and Ivan DeJesus Jr. according to Rosenthal and Heyman (Twitter links).

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#5PVIeFVHx7TFV86q.99

Brock Holt looks pretty good.  He's only 24, put up good numbers at every level of the minors and held his own during his brief/first MLB stint last year.  I don't know much about his defense, and he doesn't look to have power but it looks like he can hit for average and draw some walks and get on base.

 

I think they View Brock as an upgrade for a utility player and someone who may even play at a serviceable + level if he is called upon to start. 

 

If Hanrahan can deliver....then I'm good with this deal. 

 

In response to ctredsoxfanhugh's comment:

I think it also opens more of a possiblity that Iglesias is available as trade bait

Part of me wanted to see if melancon could build on his late-September success.  Decent trade for both teams.

Even if Hanrahan is a bust the sox paid almost nothing for him

Holt, I think is a switch hitter. Little shrimp, like Pedroia, but without the power. Looks to be better than DeJesus who seemed to K every chance he was given last year in limited AB'S. Okay deal overall me thinks.

I still like Ciriaco as our #1 utility guy. - I think he might even be better than Drew, but, that's for another thread.

In response to Joebreidey's comment:

I was kind of hoping Melancon wouldn't be in the deal myself.

In response to Flapjack07's comment:

I'm reading that Melancon was the deal.  I thought it centered around Sands and Pimental; however, I'm reading now that Melancon was the player they wanted.

They are impressed w his stuff and saw an opportunity to buy low.  It looks to me; however, that they didnt buy low and paid full price.  Making this a RS win.

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In response to Drewski5's comment:

The importance of the trade by adding Melancon it opens a 40 man roster spot for Drew. DeJesus was not on the 40; he cleared last week.

I hope Mel does well--he made some nice contributions after returning from the PawSox.

In response to Softlaw1's comment:

Yup.  Also , Melancon is controlled beyond next year.  

In response to MadMc44's comment:

so as of right now we have 2 spots on the 40? 1 for drew and 1 for napoli?

In response to Softlaw1's comment:

You realize Sands has a much higher upside than De Jesus who was DFA and not claimed by any teams.

Horrible news!

Now we have to watch Bard think he's a starter

In response to raider3524's comment:

I believe they are at 40; DeJesus had been waived to open a slot last week for Dempster. So 3 came off today, 2 will be added added this week Han and Holt leaving room for Drew(ski).

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=bos

In response to BosoxJoe5's comment:

Sands was a throw in w/ the LAD deal.  He was never part of our plans.  Ive heard that his AAA success was a mirage and he doesnt have major league batspeed.

The deal was practically Melancon for Hanraham.  The rest were throw ins.  I just read a quote from teh Pirates GM speaking of the trade.  He doesnt even mention Sands and Pimental.  He goes on for a bit about how he thinks Melancon is better than his 2012 performance (I would hope so).  He even compares the Melancon acquisition to how he acquired Hanraham a couple of years back.

I honestly dont know how good Sands actually is.  Its possible that you are right and he has major league upside.  However, its pretty clear that he was an afterthought in this trade.  Personally, I think the Sox probably should have kept him.  It sounds like a straight up Melancon for Hanraham swap would have gotten it done.

In response to MadMc44's comment:

is that drewski5? if we cleared room for him..man this deal is better than i thought...good poster here...good move.

I really like this deal.  Brock Holt sounds like he could help us out also??? 

In response to Drewski5's comment:

I think the deal might stand or fall in the long-term based on whether Sands becomes a good major leaguer or just another career AAAA guy. I found him intriguing...he's raked at every level in the minors, so it wasn't just an Albuqurque thing, but the RS didn't seem to think much of him. With openings at 1B and LF and not many great options out there, now would have been the time to give him a shot if they thought he could play.

For my part, I'd just as soon have kept Melancon and given him a chance to rebound. He's younger and cheaper, and Hanrahan's walk rate kind of scares me. But I guess we'll see.

Holt could be interesting, but don't know much about him. Looks like a Ciriaco type, if Ciriaco could get on base.

First Aceves, then Bailey, now Hanrahan. The closer position is starting to show an eerie resemblance to the SS and RF position. Oh, and now we can also add C, LF and 1B to the equation.

Isn't it wierd how only 2B, 3B and CF are a sure thing? Unless of course, BC manages to move Ells before the season starts. 

 

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