RAUCH HEADS TO 'ZONA
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired pitcher Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.
What does it give the Arizona Diamondbacks
Rauch is a great pickup for the D'Backs, as he'll help plug their most noticeable hole: the bullpen. The towering veteran reliever has been a reliable workhorse as a set-up man, and has proved decent this season as a closer for the Nats. With incumbent stopper Brandon Lyon struggling lately, Rauch is obviously now in the mix for saves down the stretch (along with possibly Chad Qualls). Bonifacio has some speed but hadn't shown much more with the D-backs in limited time with them this season, and the club already has a Gold Glover at second base in Orlando Hudson.
What does it give the Washington Nationals
A speedster, Bonifacio might eventually fill out a solid top-of-the-order tandem with recently re-signed all-star shortstop Cristian Guzman. Indeed, this deal might be yet another reason to think Felipe Lopez's disappointing term as Washington's regular second baseman might be coming to an end. Bonifacio will be sent back to the minors initially, but could get a chance with the big club by the end of the season. With usual closer Chad Cordero still on the DL, Washington now needs to replace Rauch's saves; at this point Joel Hanrahan seems likeliest to claim the closer's job.
Fantasy impact
