Boston Acquires Hannahan
That Boston has encountered numerous injuries this season is no revelation. That Boston just acquired yet another utility player isn’t either. Nevertheless, Fenway faithful should prepare to welcome Jack Hannahan to the illustrious family.
Acquired today from the Seattle Mariners for cash or a player to be named later, Hannahan is a 30-year-old who started the year with an injury that pushed him out of the utility infielder job with the Mariners. Instead, he’s spent his entire season in the minors with Tacoma while hitting .228/.331/.331. Boston is not acquiring Hannahan for his bat, although his career numbers (.224/.311/.347 in 981 plate appearances) may inflate from playing his home games in Fenway instead of Safeco Field or McAfee Coliseum. Of course, he also has to face the pitching staffs of the Yankees and Rays more often, so maybe not.
Where Hannahan shines is in his defense prowess. Just at Tacoma this season he’s played third and second base as well as shortstop. He is a legitimate plus defender, giving Boston a versatile player who writes love letters to his fielding glove. Ultimately, that seems to be the only function of his presence. He’s not a good enough baserunner to pinch run for anyone other than David Ortiz.
The cost is nothing. At most, the Sox are giving up a piece of Triple-A or Double-A depth, and for a cheap utility player who can help much in the same way Alex Cora did for the Sox from 2005 to 2008.This also opens up the possibility of moving Jed Lowrie in another deal. It’s not a gamechanger by any means, just a decent exercise in bench-building on the cheap. No vesting options required.
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I’m confused… they got an excellent fielding utility infielder so they can pull out Beltre for late inning defense? Or Pedroia? Or Scutaro?
How does this help? (Granted it cost nothing but I don’t get the move)
Does Jed Lowrie have that much value in the trade market? The guy is a career backup SS (or maybe a starting SS on a non-contending team), no?
Jed Lowrie plays plus-plus defense at SS, and has MLEs which point to him being a better than average hitter.
Frankly, he’s a better player than Scutaro, which absolutely makes him better than a “career backup” or a starter on a non-contending team. He just needs to stay healthy.
In case you missed it, Pedroia’s on the DL and will be for a while to come. Meanwhile, both Scutaro and Beltre have been playing with very few days off with nagging injuries (Beltre’s hamstring and I forget what Scutaro’s issue is, I want to say one os his elbows). He’s basically here to spell guys, presumably against weaker pitchers that the rest of the lineup can feast on.
The Paw Sox could use a replacement for Angel Sanchez. I don’t think this is anything more than that.
If San Diego would have been the spot where Hannahan ended up, would there really be an article posted about him on Fangraphs?
Maybe not, but do you not understand why? I’m pretty sure Red Sox fans get more page hits on fangraphs than the legendary San Diego Padres fans…
Its like Khole Kardashian wondering why Kim’s getting all the attention
“Its like Khole Kardashian wondering why Kim’s getting all the attention”
Because Boston is more of a whore?
Complete nitpick but… it isn’t McAfee Coliseum (and hasn’t been for a year), it’s Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Jack Hannahan merits 400 words?
the two greatest GMs in the history of professional sports made a trade. this is big news!!!
write more about me long time ^_^
With Lowrie up, he is probably just insurance. I would be shocked if he wears a Red Sox uniform before September call ups. He is nothing more than a fill in at Pawtucket for now. And if he gets a single AB against the Yankees or Rays, the Red Sox would have given up on the season.
FailGraphs up to their usual run prevention-touting hijinks. But it sounds like gurgly mermaid talk because that ship sank months ago.
How’s run prevention working out for Seattle? Tom Tango still a genius?
Yep. It’s official. Tom Tango, Jack Zduriencik and Don Wakamatsu are all certifiably retarded because every position player not named Josh Wilson is on a collision course with the worst season of their respective careers.
Anything’s better than Bill Hall at 2B, as he proved last night.