Sands was part of the huge August deal with the Dodgers.jerry-
The price for the Red Sox will reportedly include four players, including minor leaguers Stolmy Pimentel and Jerry Sands, if they want to acquire Pittsburgh Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan.
The deal was initially reported by media including according to CBSSports.com.. Pittsburgh media reported Saturday night that the framework of the deal was done, pending physicals.
Hanrahan has saved 76 games over the last two seasons. He could make up to $1.7 million in arbitration, five times his 2012 salary.
The right-hander walked one of every seven batters he faced last year, a cause for concern that followed a remarkable 40-save season in 2011.
He will give Boston an option if closer Andrew Bailey struggles, as he did last year. If Bailey holds on to his closer's job, Hanrahan would join Koji Uehara as part of a potentially dominant setup relief crew.
The deal will reportedly involve six players. Boston would get Hanrahan and a player to be named later.
Pittsburgh would receive four minor leaguers. The only two identified in reports are pitcher Pimentel, 22, and outfielder Sands, 25.
Sands was part of the salary-shedding trade the Red Sox made with the Los Angeles Dodgers in August. He has put up impressive minor league numbers but has yet to shake the label of "Quadruple A'', a player who can dominate in Triple A but not make the step to the majors.
The right-handed Pimentel was 6-7 with a 4.59 ERA for Double A Portland in 2012. He has been in the Boston system since 2007, when he turned pro at 17.
Hanrahan, 31, ranks fourth on Pittsburgh's all-time saves list with 86.
The Red Sox tried to acquire Hanrahan in 2010. This year, the Pirates sought left-hander Felix Doubront in return, but Boston balked at Pittsburgh signed Francisco Liriano as a free-agent starter.
Relievers Franklin Morales and Alfredo Aceves were also reportedly discussed, but the Red Sox will apparently part with no major leaguers.