The Pirates released Craig Hansen today. Hansen was part of the three-team trade in July 2008 that sent Jason Bay to the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. With Brandon Moss and Andy LaRoche elsewhere and Hansen on the free agent market, only Bryan Morris remains on the Pirates, meanwhile neither Bay or Ramirez remain with the Red Sox or Dodgers respectively.
Hansen’s sudden fall of grace has all the ingredients for a triumphant comeback story. A first round pick in 2005, Hansen dominated the competition in the Cape Cod League as well as at St. John’s University to inflate his stock. The Red Sox were experiencing bullpen issues at the time of the draft (closer Keith Foulke had an ERA of 6 and slash line against of .278/.350/.519 in 27 innings pitched) and popped Hansen with their mind on fast-tracking him to the big leagues.
There is the fast track and then there is the path Hansen took. After just 10 minor league appearances, Hansen would debut in the big lea...
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