MLB Rumors, MLB Trade Rumors

Rauch Dealt to D’Backs…

Posted on July 22nd, 2008 by Mr. Fleece

A nice little flurry of moves 9 days before the deadline. The Nationals have traded closer/set-up man Jon Rauch to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for infielder Emilio Bonifacio. Bonifacio was one of the top-10 or so prospects in the Arizona system coming into this year, and he’s hitting .302/.348/.387 at Triple-A. The Nationals got a real nice return for Rauch, in other words. On the other end, Rauch is having a stellar season out of the ‘pen. He is 4-2, with a 2.98 ERA, while compiling 17 saves. He had been forced to assume closing duties due to the injury to former closer Chad Cordero.

Nice pick-up by Arizona here. He’ll compliment Chad Qualls and Tony Pena to form perhaps the most formidable back-end bullpen in the National League. Brandon Lyon has been the closer for the Diamondbacks, posting 20 saves with an ERA of 3.86. This could be subject to change, but for the time being, these four pitchers are each very strong options while putting other teams away down the stretch. Now they just need to hit a little bit more…

Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals

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5 Responses to “Rauch Dealt to D’Backs…”

  1. Omar Rocks!, on July 22nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm Said:

    Will this affect Brandon Lyon’s save opportunities?

  2. Pete, on July 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm Said:

    I was wondering the same thing. I bet it does, and soon. But it’s not like Pena has been great either in the setup role, right?

  3. Old Navy King, on July 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm Said:

    As Mr. Fleece points out, Rauch is added to Qualls, Pena and Lyon to form a pretty damn solid back-end of the bullpen. I think Lyon gets another crack or few, and if he stinks, we will see a committee apporach beyond that. But we shall see…

  4. RollingWave, on July 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 pm Said:

    Wow, trading your best piece for 2B that can’t hit for any power IN THE PACIFIC LEAGUE (where almost all the parks are either in the desert or mile high… or both in Vegas’ case) nor walk much ? why Jim-Bo?

    Trading Rauch for something is obviously a good idea.. trading it for someone who doesn’t appear to have any true upside though… is not.

  5. Coach (The Braves number one HOMER), on July 24th, 2008 at 1:31 am Said:

    I think that Jon Rauch is being over valued. Until this season he has been a set up man his entire career. The Nationals gave a up a relief pitcher for a young 2B prospect who plays great defense and projects to be a probable lead off hitter.

    I’ll can this trade even for the moment. But I think the Nats will eventually come out ahead.

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