Pirates trade rumors: Joel Hanrahan 'close' to being shipped to Red Sox, according to report

Gordon Edes writes that the Pirates and Red Sox are "close" to completing a deal involving Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan.

Hanrahan is set to make about $7 million next season, and there have been offseason trade rumors connecting him to the Dodgers, Red Sox, Tigers and Mariners.

There was no immediate word on who the Pirates might receive if they traded Hanrahan to the Sox, but Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales and Jose Iglesias have all come up in previous variations of the rumor. The Red Sox are unlikely to part with Doubront, a good young starter. Morales is a swingman or reliever, while Iglesias is a young shortstop who plays brilliant defense but can't hit at all.

Hanrahan saved 36 games last year but struggled mightily with his control, as his walk rate more than doubled in 2012. His velocity also came and went, and his average fastball was down from his excellent 2011 season.