Who becomes closer if Rauch moved??

by wrigley's ivy on Jul 18, 2008 10:26 AM EDT

I know this is somewhat old news, but the poll reminded me of two questions I've been wondering:

1) Will we move him?

2) Who becomes closer?

I'd like to see Luis Ayala get a shot at it if he's moved, but I'm thinking that since we have Rauch under control thru 2010 well under market for a guy with closer stuff, I'm thinking we hold on unless we get an offer we can't refuse. That said, whether you check www.mlbtraderumors.com or espn.com's rumor section - everyone seems to think Rauch is on his way out. Thoughts?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080711&content_id=3113826&vkey=trade2008&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/mlb/news?slug=ys-highfives_071708

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I think Rauch is the only one DC will get anything significant for...

Lo Duca, F. Lopez, DY, Ronnie B. probably won’t bring much in return…so I can see Rauch moving…though I’m not sure he’ll close wherever he goes…

As for a replacement…

2 years ago I would’ve said Ayala, now

1) “Wild” Joel Hanrahan
2) Ryan Wagner if healthy…
3) Chris Booker(though I haven’t been following him much this year)
4) Zech Zinicola (in a few years)
5) Chad Cordero?

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by Patrick Reddington on Jul 18, 2008 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Not Sa-oool?

He’s been pretty dependable, plus he’s a ground-ball pitcher—the best one on the staff in terms of GB% last I checked. Having fly-ball closers (Ayala, Rauch, and Chief are all fly-ball guys) always made me a nervous enough in RFK, but now…? Rivera does have the ability to go a few innings reliably, so maybe closing would be limiting. Hanny is getting better, but I wouldn’t say he’s ready quite yet. Ayala… boy, I think that’d be (even) hard(er) to watch.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 18, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

I just don't see Sa-ool as a closer...

...though now that I think about it, he’s probably the closest thing to Cordero currently on the roster in terms of stuff/control over a real devastating fastball or breaker…

I just think Hanrahan’s high-wire act would be endlessly entertaining if not wholly effective.

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by Patrick Reddington on Jul 18, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Hanrahan...

IMO, he’s the only one that’s got the make-up. besides, Ayala and Rivera have been so taxed this year, and by the trade deadline even more so, that they just aren’t going to have the juice. i would not be surprised if either/both end up on the DL in the second half.

your voice of gloom and doom,

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Jul 18, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

Rauch is

pretty much entering his prime years, and his stock is up there, so he should probably be traded now and the Nats should make Sa-oool the closer

by Dero7 on Jul 20, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

Agree on Rauch, disagree on Sa-ool...

Rauch is going be 30 in September, with a 44/7 K/BB ratio in 48.1 IP, 5 HR’s and 16 ER allowed, with saves in 17 of 22 opportunities…and will never (i’d imagine) be worth more than he is right now, but more importantly…Why do the Nationals need a closer?

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by Patrick Reddington on Jul 21, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, you might as well ask, "Why do they need a LOOGY?"

Oh, uh, sorry Ray King… (No, Charlie Manning doesn’t count. He may be “special,” but he’s no “specialist.”)

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 22, 2008 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Terrible

Dear. Mr. Bowden,

Please explain why you traded your best pitcher for a sub-par “young” 2nd baseman. Tonight was a perfect example of how he was not the man to trade. You can not rebuild a team by trading away its most solid components. Who is next , Ryan Zimmerman??? Mr. Bowden you have let this serious Nationals fan down big time.

Sincerely,

by MrBrianPSU on Jul 24, 2008 1:26 AM EDT reply actions