Comments on: Joel Hanrahan Rumors: Dodgers, Red Sox, and Tigers Updates

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:58:45 +0000

No, he has 3 years left. His service time is 3 years, 170 days. Because the Tigers brought him up one week into the 2009 season, they bought nearly a full year of service.

In essence, the Tigers could control him for 7 full calender seasons because of those 2 days.

By: emjayinTN

emjayinTN — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:13:12 +0000

Kevin: Porcello only has 2 years of control, and the Pirates are still building. About the time we will watch him go to Free Agency, either Kingham or Holmes will be ready to step up – we need that depth in SP’s. Hanrahan is a Closer with 76 Saves in 2 years for a team that only won 151 games over that period – better than 50% of the games the team has won. Tabata is a VG prospect with a long term contract that is fantastic. In Pittsburgh he is excess baggage, but not so in many other MLB cities.

By: Joe Sweetnich

Joe Sweetnich — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:10:15 +0000

I believe it is common knowledge that WAR undervalues closers. Jim Bowden on XM just this afternoon stated in his opinion Hanrahan and Porcello straight up would be a good deal for both teams.

How is WAR rectified to properly evaluate closers. As I recall, Shane Victorino was valued higher than Aroldis Chapman last year.

By: Fred Langford

Fred Langford — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:04:03 +0000

If he doesn’t bring team changing talent in return everyone should be happy to have a guy with stuff like him in the 9th. He is pitching for his first and last big contract. Look out.

By: Fred Langford

Fred Langford — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:01:37 +0000

Closers’ value may be overrated but one thing i have seen in my 25 years of trying to jump on the next cheap fantasy league closer…a lot of guys can pitch in relief and even be dominant…but not every guy can be inserted into the closer role and be great. Ask jason Motte who failed his first try. The kid for the Yanks this year….countless others. Hanrahan has the 98mph fb, the wipeout slider, and yes, the head and experience to be thrown in there every ninth and get the job done. Piece of mind adds value. That’s why you wait it out if you are NH. The closer other gms get to ST and guys are picked up and rosters are filled the more gms will consider Hanrahan. There is no reason to dump him off for some 2 war guy when we can keep him half a year than deal him if nothing comes up. What is another 3.6 mil?

By: beatembuccos21

beatembuccos21 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:30:20 +0000

Is there a good way to measure the OF versus IF contribution to DEF? There probably is, but I’m not aware of it.

One thing that I like to look at is the batting average against on groundballs. The AL average in 2012 was .238. But for DET it was .254. It was also .238 in the NL (a bit surprising given the lack of DH). But PIT came in at .221.

I’m sure there is a different/better way to measure the IF contribution to defense. But that’s something that I like to look at.

Bottom line: I agree with Kevin’s assessment.

By: La Pirate

La Pirate — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:33:51 +0000

I see no urgency in trading Hannie, either we get good salary relief or fill a hole or perhaps a couple of close to ready prospects our bullpen would be weaker without Joel. The Pirates must be thinking they can make a run at it but it will be tougher this year than last but the team will be better. I am not opposed going into the spring with essentially the roster where it is.

By: wkkortas

wkkortas — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:56:13 +0000

That’s true, but DER includes everybody, and the Tigers were pulled down by Delmon Young and Boesch; if you compare the infields, there’s not much difference in the numbers.

By: TonyPenaforHOF

TonyPenaforHOF — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:47:20 +0000

That’s an advantage to the Pirates. If Detroit wants a world series they have to win the American League. They have an extra incentive to trade for Hanny – keep him away from two other contenders in the AL.

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:40:01 +0000

A Porcello trade would have very little in common with AJ Burnett’s trade. One is a 24 year old with 3 years of control at below-market rates. The other was an older pitcher that wasn’t earning his full salary with the Yankees and they wanted to cut costs.

Porcello has way more trade value than Burnett did last year.