Dbacks get Rauch for Bonifacio

[Mulli]

On the Dbacks site.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp..._id=3173993&vkey=trade2008&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

[Dback Jon]

Wow

 

[Dback Jon]

The D-backs weary bullpen is about to get some help.
Arizona acquired right-hander Jon Rauch from the Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.

Rauch, who took over as the Nats closer when Chad Cordero injured his shoulder in April, was 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA. The 29-year-old covered 17 of his 22 save opportunities.

The D-backs bullpen could certainly use the help. Injuries to Juan Cruz and Doug Slaten, as well as some struggles at the normally reliable back end of the bullpen, forced manager Bob Melvin to use starter Micah Owings in a relief role on Monday.

Rauch, who made $1.2 million this year, is set to make $2 million next season and there is a club option for 2010 at $2.9 million.

Rauch has had issues with his labrum in the past, but was second in the Majors with 85 appearances in 2006 and led the Majors with 88 last year.

The D-backs got an up-close look at Rauch three times this year. He tossed a scoreless inning against them at Chase Field in May and one in July at Nationals Park. One day after that he allowed three runs to them in an extra-inning win by Arizona.

Bonifacio, 23, hit .167 in 12 at-bats for the D-backs this year while playing sparingly at second and in the outfield. He hit .217 in 23 at-bats last year.

Signed as a free agent by the D-backs in 2001, Bonifacio has tremendous speed and hit .302 this year for Triple-A Tucson after compiling a .285 average last year with 41 steals in 54 attempts.

 

[Dback Jon]

I like the deal. Hate to give up Bonifacio, but we needed the bully help

 

[Dback Jon]

4-2, 17 saves, 2.98 ERA

 

[The Commish]

Liked Bonifacio, but you can't steal a base if you can't get on. Hopefully this shores up our BP.

 

[dogpoo32]

Good to see they're doing something to help out. The bullpen has made me sad many times this year.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Number 1, Rauch will definitely add a boost to the bullpen.

Number 2, I'm almost certain between this and the trade of Alberto Callaspo that the Diamondbacks are serious about re-signing Hudson, which can only be considered a plus.

 

[Dback Jon]

Number 1, Rauch will definitely add a boost to the bullpen.

Number 2, I'm almost certain between this and the trade of Alberto Callaspo that the Diamondbacks are serious about re-signing Hudson, which can only be considered a plus.

Hey Jay!! How you been?


I had that same thought about O-Dogg. Why trade away your 2nd Baseman of the future unless you have other plans.

 

[Nash2Amare]

Doubt Hudson is coming back. They didn't believe in Bonifacio, I believe. Low OBP in the minors, and was basically only a speedy slap hitter.

They'll pursue Mark Ellis.

 

[AZCB34]

4-2, 17 saves, 2.98 ERA

5 blown saves though. Is he merely a setup man for the time being? Or is this a move to place Lyons in the setup role?

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Heya Jon! Good to speak to you again brother. All's going well here, hope you too are in good health and spirits.

I can only help but believe this move had that ramification added to it. Scanning the farm, they really have noone who can step up right away and fill that 2B void. Looking at the possibility of Burke or Mark Ellis as 2B of this team isn't an appealing one, especially when you look at Hudson's contributions to the team. Either of those two would be substantial downgrades.

I'm usually the last advocate for free spending, but I think in this case, it's a need. They paid Byrnes, they should do the same for O-Dog.

 

[Dback Jon]

Heya Jon! Good to speak to you again brother. All's going well here, hope you too are in good health and spirits.

I can only help but believe this move had that ramification added to it. Scanning the farm, they really have noone who can step up right away and fill that 2B void. Looking at the possibility of Burke or Mark Ellis as 2B of this team isn't an appealing one, especially when you look at Hudson's contributions to the team. Either of those two would be substantial downgrades.

I'm usually the last advocate for free spending, but I think in this case, it's a need. They paid Byrnes, they should do the same for O-Dog.

Doing well here too.


Ellis is BLEH for me as well.

 

[Nasser22]

This is something we really needed so I am satisfied with the trade. Now we have another option to use in key situations when one of our top guys is struggling, which they all have at some point. And this competition for innings can't be a bad thing right? That usually brings out the best in athletes.

Oh and just a side note...after another blown save, Valverde now has a higher ERA than Qualls. We sure were taken advantage of in that trade....

 

[Lefty]

Doubt Hudson is coming back. They didn't believe in Bonifacio, I believe. Low OBP in the minors, and was basically only a speedy slap hitter.

They'll pursue Mark Ellis.

I agree. I don't think Bonifacio will be a very good every day player. I like this trade. Helps the bullpen a lot.

I don't like it that they probably won't re-sign Hudson. Just feeling the effects of signing Byrnes I guess. I'm not a big fan of Ellis. I would hope they could do better.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Nice I like this move by the dbacks nothing like adding a solid bullpen guy great addition for the 2nd half run in the playoff race. Does anyone know if Cruz will be back anytime this year or even for the playoffs if we make it that far? By the way I really hope we sign hudson he is our best defense player great lockeroom guy and very solid hitter.

 

[Lefty]

Nice I like this move by the dbacks nothing like adding a solid bullpen guy great addition for the 2nd half run in the playoff race. Does anyone know if Cruz will be back anytime this year or even for the playoffs if we make it that far? By the way I really hope we sign hudson he is our best defense player great lockeroom guy and very solid hitter.

I think signing Hudson will be a long shot but with getting Rauch and picking Schlereth in the draft, I think the Diamondbacks might not sign Lyon in the offseason. Signing Cruz will probably be cheaper.

 

[CardEd]

Related moves....

In other moves, Arizona optioned right-hander Connor Robertson to Triple-A Tucson and took over the contract of infielder Jamie D'Antona from the same club. Arizona also transferred outfielder Eric Byrnes (torn left hamstring) to the 60-day disabled list.

-----------------------

I'm happy to see D'Antona get a call up. He's had a solid season in trip A.

 

[Dback Jon]

it will be interesting to see how much PT D'Antona gets.

 

[BC867]

Rauch is 6'11". I wonder if he's going to call Randy "Shorty".

Or if Rauch relieves RJ after 8 innings, we can call them the Twin Towers.

 

[Dback Jon]

We can call Rauch the Bigger Unit...

 

[Desert Rat]

On KTAR Monday morning, Daron Sutton was asked who the Dbacks' 2B would be to start 2009. He said Bonafacio would. OOPS!

What I'm thinking is Bonafacio was expendable since the D-backs haven't been employing the running game like they did in 2007; if they're not going to run like the wind on the bases, why even have the rabbit when there are more pressing needs?

I would have liked to have seen a lefthander come this way, but Rauch will do. He was the de facto closer with the Nats after Cordero got injured. Rauch was normally a set-up man.

 

[scXfreakX]

Can't say I'm thrilled with the move, but I know we needed bullpen help badly, and I think this was obviously a situational trade being that our bullpen has been depleted so much.

 

[Phill11]

Can't say I'm thrilled with the move, but I know we needed bullpen help badly, and I think this was obviously a situational trade being that our bullpen has been depleted so much.

I also agree. It's a great trade if we get Hudson locked up. I love Augie to death but he's not a starter. He's an excellent platoon/bench player, nothing more. If we lose Hudson and have Augie as our starter, who then plays our utility/middle infield backup?

And for those that were suggesting Ellis :