Hanrahan Named Closer

[love_that_reefer]

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced Wednesday that Joel Hanrahan will open the season as the team's closer.
As expected. Evan Meek had the lower ERA than Hanrahan last season, but unlike Hanrahan, he doesn't have closing experience or the ability to miss bats with regularity. Hanrahan struck out 100 batters over 69 2/3 innings last season.

I thought that maybe Meek and Hanrahan would compete for it but I guess Hurdle couldn't say no to Joel's 12.9 K/9. The Pirates bullpen won't be half bad with Meek, Beimel, Veras and some of the young guns setting up Hanrahan.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

This right here is why the Pirates are the worst franchise. Not because of the decision itself, but because he was their best option.

[love_that_reefer]

I'll take a 12.9 K/9 from my closer any day. I like him better than Octavio Dotel.

[realmofotalk]

The Pirates bullpen could have been a lot better if they hadn't traded shutdown lefty Javier Lopez for shit.

I know, I know, they got a king's ransom for Dotel, but it doesn't take a genius to take advantage of a broke, yet desperate team as the Dodgers were.

[love_that_reefer]

What? They got the almighty John Bowker for Lopez

[realmofotalk]

Hanrahan is a fine pitcher who I'm sure the Pirates will trade to the Giants for Nate Schierholtz or some other crap.

[love_that_reefer]

Nate better not be traded. He's our best OFer. Rowand is fair game though