Hanrahan closes on new deal: Pittsburgh RP Joel Hanrahan agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million deal on Monday to avoid salary arbitration, according to MLB.com. Hanrahan finished sixth in the National League after converting 40 of his 44 saves chances for the Pirates last season -- a career high. (Updated 01/16/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
After posting only 20 saves during his previous four major league seasons combined, Hanrahan developed into a trusted closer for Pittsburgh last year. The right-hander improved his control and recorded a stellar 61:16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 68 2/3 innings. His WHIP of 1.05 was easily the lowest mark of his career. Fantasy owners should target him with a selection in the middle rounds of most 2012 Fantasy drafts. (Updated 01/16/2012).
12/13/2011 11:23 Top 300 overall for 2012
Our Scott White lays out an initial Top 300 overall list for owners looking to get a jump on Draft Day next spring.
Joel Hanrahan enjoyed a career campaign in his second season with the Pirates in 2011. Serving as a full-time closer, he converted each of his first 26 saves and finished 40 of 44 in saves chances with a 1.83 ERA in 70 appearances. While he struck out just 61 batters in 68 2/3 innings, he posted career-lows in walks (16) and WHIP (1.05) and enters 2012 as the closer for Pittsburgh again. The right-hander should benefit from the Pirates winning more games as an up-and-coming club, with a lot of those contests being close. Owners might not trust his track record but manager Clint Hurdle has confidence in the 30-year-old and he should be in line for another solid campaign in Fantasy. Target Hanrahan as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy RP on Draft Day. (Updated 1/12/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start