Diamondbacks acquire reliever Rauch from Nationals
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks made a major move to shore up their ailing bullpen on Tuesday by acquiring reliever Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for infield prospect Emilio Bonifacio.
Rauch was 4-2 with 17 saves in 22 chances and a 2.98 ERA for the Nationals. He has struck out 44 and walked seven. Rauch, 29, has been filling in at closer for most of the season for injured Chad Cordero.
Bonifacio entered the season as Arizona's No. 6 prospect, according to Baseball America. The speedy 23-year-old second baseman from the Dominican Republic was recalled by the Diamondbacks on July 4, and was 2-for-12 in eight games. He hit .302 in 85 games for Triple-A Tucson, with 18 doubles, five triples, a home run, 29 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.
Bonifacio, the fastest base runner in the Diamondbacks' system and one of the fastest in all of baseball, played for the World team in the Futures game during the All-Star break.
"This trade brings us a quality, young player, who has the potential to develop into a solid leadoff hitter and outstanding defensive second baseman," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "He is a high-energy player with a lot of potential, and we anticipate he'll fit nicely into our long-term plan of drafting, acquiring and developing a solid nucleus that will lead our club in the near future."
At 6 feet 11, Rauch is the tallest pitcher in major league history, edging out his new Arizona teammate, 6-10 Randy Johnson.
The Diamondbacks' bullpen was supposed to be a strength this season but all three late-inning pitchers -- Chad Qualls, Tony Pena and closer Brandon Lyon, have struggled. Lyon gave up five ninth-inning runs in Arizona's 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
"Jon Rauch is a proven late game reliever who we control through 2010," Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said. "We are pleased to add him as we attempt to defend our division title."
Rauch came to the Montreal Expos, who became the Nationals, in 2004 in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. He has appeared in 255 major league games, going 24-17 with a 3.67 ERA and 37 saves over six seasons.
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks made a major move to shore up their ailing bullpen on Tuesday by acquiring reliever Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for infield prospect Emilio Bonifacio.
Rauch was 4-2 with 17 saves in 22 chances and a 2.98 ERA for the Nationals. He has struck out 44 and walked seven. Rauch, 29, has been filling in at closer for most of the season for injured Chad Cordero.
Bonifacio entered the season as Arizona's No. 6 prospect, according to Baseball America. The speedy 23-year-old second baseman from the Dominican Republic was recalled by the Diamondbacks on July 4, and was 2-for-12 in eight games. He hit .302 in 85 games for Triple-A Tucson, with 18 doubles, five triples, a home run, 29 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.
Bonifacio, the fastest base runner in the Diamondbacks' system and one of the fastest in all of baseball, played for the World team in the Futures game during the All-Star break.
"This trade brings us a quality, young player, who has the potential to develop into a solid leadoff hitter and outstanding defensive second baseman," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "He is a high-energy player with a lot of potential, and we anticipate he'll fit nicely into our long-term plan of drafting, acquiring and developing a solid nucleus that will lead our club in the near future."
At 6 feet 11, Rauch is the tallest pitcher in major league history, edging out his new Arizona teammate, 6-10 Randy Johnson.
The Diamondbacks' bullpen was supposed to be a strength this season but all three late-inning pitchers -- Chad Qualls, Tony Pena and closer Brandon Lyon, have struggled. Lyon gave up five ninth-inning runs in Arizona's 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
"Jon Rauch is a proven late game reliever who we control through 2010," Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said. "We are pleased to add him as we attempt to defend our division title."
Rauch came to the Montreal Expos, who became the Nationals, in 2004 in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. He has appeared in 255 major league games, going 24-17 with a 3.67 ERA and 37 saves over six seasons.
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