The Boston Red Sox have acquired All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan in a six-player deal Wednesday that will land reliever Mark Melacon with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Over the past two season the 31-year-old Hanrahan has been credited for 76 saves (in 84 chances), fourth most in the National League, and a 2.24 ERA. Last season, he was 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 36 saves.

Along with an impressive save percentage (90 percent), Hanrahan had a 2.24 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 128 1/3 innings.

He joins a formidable corps of relievers that could include Andrew Bailey, Koji Uehara, Alfredo Aceves, Junichi Tazawa, Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller and perhaps Daniel Bard, if the right-hander can regain his old form. As of now it's unclear whether or not he'll come in as the Red Sox closer or if there will be a completion with Bailey.

Hanrahan, an All-Star in each of the last two seasons, earned $4.1 million in 2012 and can expect a significant bump in salary arbitration, to close to $7 million.

Also headed to Pittsburgh in the deal are pitcher Stolmy Pimentel, infielder Ivan De Jesus and first baseman/outfielder Jerry Sands. Along with Hanrahan, the Red Sox also received infielder Brock Holt.

News that the Red Sox and Pirates were close to a deal broke earlier this week, and the teams made the transaction official after the Christmas holiday.

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