The 32 year old former closer is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but could be an option later this year.
Intrepid Royals beat reporter Andy McCullough is reporting the Royals have shown interest in free agent reliever Joel Hanrahan. The Royals went into this season considering their bullpen an area of strength and depth, but injuries to Luke Hochevar and early season woes have given cause for the team to look to add a veteran arm.
The 32-year old Hanrahan is a former closer with 100 career saves, including a career-high 40 with Pittsburgh in 2011. He was dealt to Boston before the 2013 season and was a disaster, pitching just seven awful innings before landing on the disabled list and having Tommy John surgery last May. In seven Major League seasons, Hanrahan has a 3.85 career ERA with nearly 10 strikeouts and 4.4 walks per nine innings. In 2011, his best season, his strikeouts went down to 8.0 per nine innings, but he walked just 16 hitters in 68 2/3 innings of work. He is a two-time All-Star.
Hanrahan is to have a showcase for teams tomorrow, with the Royals sending a representative along with teams like the Mets and Yankees. Sources say he could be ready in May, although others think that is an optimistic scenario. Most likely Hanrahan would accept a one-year deal with a low base salary, loaded with incentives.