The Boston Red Sox have added another talented player to their bullpen by acquiring Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan.
The reported acquisition of Joel Hanrahan may push Andrew Bailey out of the closer job in 2013.
Don't believe me?
Take a look at the 2012 Baltimore Orioles. They didn't have too much starting pitching, but manager Buck Showalter used his deep bullpen masterfully.
The Orioles won 94 games, but their starters were ninth in the American League in innings pitched, tied for last in complete games, seventh in strikeouts and eighth in batting average against. In other words, they were nothing special.
The Baltimore bullpen was third in earned run average, first in saves, first in wins, and fifth in batting average against.
Ben Cherington and company must have been paying attention. On Saturday afternoon the Red Sox reportedly finalized a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that involves multiple players.
Alex Speier of WEEI reports that the trade is centered around Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan and Red Sox minor leaguers Jerry Sands and Stolmey Pimentel. There are reportedly other as-yet unknown players involved.
Hanrahan has made the all-star team the past two seasons and recorded 76 saves over that time. He is the second solid veteran relief pitcher that the Red Sox have acquired this offseason.
This past Tuesday, the Red Sox finalized a one-year contract with Koji Uehara.
The addition of Hanrahan gives the Red Sox a deep and experienced bullpen with three lefties. Hanrahan and Uehara join lefty Andrew Miller. Andrew Bailey, Alfredo Aceves and Junichi Tazawa round out what looks to be a formidable crew.
The Red Sox also have Craig Breslow, Mark Melancon and Daniel Bard as bullpen possibilities.
Hanrahan was 5-2 with an earned run average of 2.72 and 36 saves in 2012; he is signed through the end of the 2014 season and is arbitration eligible heading into next season.
His addition may create a battle for the closer job. Andrew Bailey was acquired prior to the 2012 season to take over for departed Jonathan Papelbon, but injuries limited his availability.
When finally healthy, Bailey struggled and finished 2012 with an earned run average of 7.04.
The Red Sox now have a lot of options in the bullpen, and that's not a bad problem to have.