MLB trade rumors: Red Sox reportedly 'close' to acquiring Joel Hanrahan from Pirates

Ben Cherington and the Boston Red Sox brass are reportedly close to adding another cog to Boston's 2013 bullpen. According to ESPN Boston, the Red Sox are "close" to acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan.

If the Red Sox do acquire Hanrahan, he'll constitute the second major addition to a bullpen that blew 22 saves in 2012 -- tied for the third-most blown saves in baseball. Earlier this offseason, the Red Sox signed free agent reliever Koji Uehara to a one-year, $4.5 million dollar deal.

Hanrahan has been named to the NL's All-Star team each of the last two seasons. In 2012, Hanrahan went 5-2, and recorded 36 saves while only blowing four saves. Hanrahan struck out 67 in 59 and 2/3 innings of work, but did walk 36 batters -- which translates to 5.43 BB/9.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweeted that "multiple players" would be in the deal. Per Heyman, Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias is not a part of the trade.

While ESPN Boston hears that a deal is close, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Bill Brink does not believe a deal is close yet.