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The Tigers, Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox and Rockies are believed among teams showing strong interest in free-agent closer Joel Hanrahan, who is likely to sign before holding another open showcase.
Hanrahan is believed to have received multiple offers, with at least those five teams thought to be in the running for the hard-throwing two-time All-Star.
Detroit makes obvious sense since the Tigers would love to replace Bruce Rondon and have someone to team with Joe Nathan at the back end of the bullpen. The Yankees are obviously thinner in the pen than they have been with the retirement of all-time great Mariano Rivera, while the Rangers have been beset by pitching injuries, the Red Sox always liked Hanrahan and the Rockies continue to have interest in bullpen help.
Hanrahan, almost exactly a year removed from Tommy John surgery, looked close to being ready to help someone when he threw for teams a couple weeks ago, hitting as high as 92-93 mph on the gun. Scouts said he appeared to be in excellent shape.
Hanrahan, 32, is 22-18 with a 3.85 ERA and 100 saves lifetime, and he had 76 saves for the Pirates in 2011-12 when he made the All-Star team as their closer. He was with the Red Sox last season when he suffered the elbow injury.
