 |
| Will it soon be "Hammer Time" in Los Angeles? (Getty Images) |
The Pirates are pushing to trade closer Joel Hanrahan, reports CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler, and the Dodgers are a distinct possibility.
Where a match could be possible is that the Dodgers are openly shopping starting pitchers Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang. The Pirates could use short-term starting pitching help while they wait for the likes of Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole to develop. The only three men who appear set in stone for the Pirates' five-man rotation are A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez and JameS McDonald.
The Dodgers already signed Brandon League to a lucrative deal this offseason, but considering they are acting like they're printing their own money these days, money surely won't be a factor in League's role -- or Hanrahan's, for that matter, if they acquire him. Adding Hanrahan would only further bolster an already-strong back end of the Dodgers bullpen, where they also have Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario.
Hanrahan, 31, saved 36 games in 40 chances last season with a 2.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings for the Pirates. He's arbitration-eligible this offseason but will be a free agent following the 2013 season.
For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnBaseball on Twitter, subscribe to the RSS feed and "like" us on Facebook.
