Joel Hanrahan rumors: Dodgers, Red Sox calling

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are interested in acquiring righty closer Joel Hanrahan from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Dodgers may have a leg up in terms of trade chips, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:

The Dodgers are showing interested in Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan, but they have a little company. The Red Sox are said to have an interest as well.

The Dodgers are a potential match because they have more starting pitchers than anyone -- veterans Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang are available.

Hanrahan has been rumored to be on the trade market since before the Pirates landed Russell Martin, and have recently been "pushing to move" the right-hander, but nothing really substantial has surfaced until now.

Los Angeles already has a closer, Brandon League, signed to a three-year deal -- and Kenley Jansen is a pretty great alternative as well -- but the Pirates' need for a starter may usurp Hanrahan's desire to pitch for a team that will allow him to close. The Dodgers currently have eight starters inked to big-league deals for 2013, while the Bucs have only four guys slotted into the rotation.

If Hanrahan were to go to Boston -- who also have a closer in Andrew Bailey -- Heyman speculates that the deal could include multiple players, one of them being a young pitcher.

Hanrahan, 31, has been lights out as the Pirates' closer the last two season, posting a 2.24 ERA and 9.0 K/9 rate in 128⅓ innings, converting 76 saves in that time. If the Bucs do deal Hanrahan, the recently re-signed Jason Grilli could take over as closer in Pittsburgh.