Major League Baseball

Red Sox acquire closer Hanrahan

Published Dec. 22, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

The Boston Red Sox, moving to further deepen their bullpen, have acquired right-handed All-Star Joel Hanrahan from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a six-player deal.

Boston completed the trade Wednesday, also receiving infielder Brock Holt. The Red Sox gave up right-handers Mark Melancon and Stolmy Pimentel, infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr. and first baseman-outfielder Jerry Sands.

Hanrahan, 31, served as the Pirates' closer the past two seasons, earning a combined 76 saves and producing a 2.24 ERA. He will give the Red Sox an alternative to closer Andrew Bailey, who was injured for most of last season.

Holt spent most of last season at Double-A Altoona, then hit .292 in 24 games with the Pirates, all in September.

Melancon was 0-2 with a 6.20 ERA in 41 relief appearances in his only season with Boston. Pimentel spent the season at Double-A Portland. Sands and DeJesus were obtained in a trade that sent Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 25.

With Hanrahan, the Sox would be deep in right-handed relievers. They signed free agent Koji Uehara earlier this offseason, and also have Bailey, Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard and Junichi Tazawa returning.

Right-hander Jason Grilli, who recently agreed to a two-year, $6.75 million free-agent contract with the Pirates, likely would replace Hanrahan as Pittsburgh's closer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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