DJ Spinoza
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2003
- 25,446
- 3,946
Hanrahan had one good and one average season with the Pirates. He pitches when the team has a lead in the ninth inning and gets three outs in a game. He's not worth 10% of the payroll, period.
One way to evaluate Pirates deals is to ask whether successful teams in similar situations, like the Rays, would have done it. The answer in this case is yes, several times over. If they can do for Melancon what they did for several other relief pitchers--Hanrahan obviously not the least among them--then this will be a fine swap. Save tons of money on a bullpen arm, replacing him with at least two years of Melancon, and allocate the savings towards much more valuable positions than closer like SP and C. If any of Sands, de Jesus or Pimentel work out, so much for the better. Pimentel alone can probably easily be turned into a RP to add some depth and value over the next 3-4 seasons.
One way to evaluate Pirates deals is to ask whether successful teams in similar situations, like the Rays, would have done it. The answer in this case is yes, several times over. If they can do for Melancon what they did for several other relief pitchers--Hanrahan obviously not the least among them--then this will be a fine swap. Save tons of money on a bullpen arm, replacing him with at least two years of Melancon, and allocate the savings towards much more valuable positions than closer like SP and C. If any of Sands, de Jesus or Pimentel work out, so much for the better. Pimentel alone can probably easily be turned into a RP to add some depth and value over the next 3-4 seasons.