The Red Sox sign Joel Hanrahan to a one year deal

The Red Sox are dodging arbitration like an athletic middle schooler in a P.E. dodge ball tournament. Earlier this morning on Red Sox Life we reported that the Sox signed center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to a one year contract worth 9 million dollars. Now the newest addition to the Red Sox organization closer Joel Hanrahan has signed a one year deal worth 7.04 million dollars. This is a significant pay increase for the newly minted closer as Hanrahan netted a cool 4.1 million last season with the Pirates.

Over the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates Hanrahan has compiled 76 saves, 128 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA while maintaining a 6-6 win-loss record.   

Once again the Red Sox have placed themselves in the middle of a cumbersome situation. On one hand if Hanrahan pans out you have the opportunity to sign him as your long-term closer. On the other hand if he has a successful season he’ll be shouting those famous words from Jerry Maguire, “Show me the money!”

Follow Scott Levesque on Twitter at @scottlevesque.