Joel Hanrahan, Pirates Agree On $4.1 Million Deal

The Pirates report that they have signed closer Joel Hanrahan to a one-year deal, thus avoiding salary arbirtation. Keith Law writes that the deal is for $4.1 million.

We already knew Hanrahan would receive a contract from the Pirates once the Bucs tendered him a while back, and neither the length of the deal nor the amount is much of a surprise. There were a couple stories in the local media this offseason about the possibility of the Pirates signing Hanrahan to a multi-year contract, but there didn't seem to be much to them. The Pirates control Hanrahan's rights through 2013 anyway, and relievers are fragile creatures -- brilliant one year, then completely ineffective two years later. Pitchers like Mariano Rivera are more the exception than the rule.

Assuming Hanrahan continues to pitch well, he's a good bet to be traded in July, when some team that's desperate for a closer might be willing to overpay for him.

The Pirates still have several arbitration-eligible players whose salaries haven't yet been determined: starters Charlie Morton and Jeff Karstens, reliever Evan Meek, infielder Casey McGehee, and first baseman / outfielder Garrett Jones. In addition to Hanrahan, they've already settled with fellow reliever Chris Resop.

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