Mets, Yankees Among Teams Scouting Former All-Star Closer Joel Hanrahan
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It looks like quite the market could be shaping up for two-time All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan.
Nearly 20 teams were on hand Thursday to watch Hanrahan, who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery last May, throw at the University of Tampa, according to WFAN/CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman.
Scouts said the 32-year-old "looked fit and healthy" and his pitches were clocked between 87-93 mph, Heyman reported.
Both New York teams -- the Yankees and Mets -- were represented at Hanrahan's session, as were the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies and about a dozen other clubs.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander had 40 saves with a 1.83 ERA for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. He followed that up with his second straight All-Star season, recording 36 saves with a 2.72 ERA.
Hanrahan was traded to the Red Sox prior to the 2013 season and saved four games before going down with a torn flexor muscle and ulnar collateral ligament.
The Mets certainly have a need after losing closer Bobby Parnell to Tommy John surgery. Veteran Jose Valverde, the team's current de facto closer, hasn't been sharp in his past two outings, giving up five earned runs and three homers and raising his ERA from zilch to 6.14.
The Yankees could use bullpen depth in navigating their first season without future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera. Closer David Robertson (strained groin) is expected to return from the disabled list on Tuesday.
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