The Hits Keep On Coming: Nats Trade Rauch for Bonifacio

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Jul 22, 2008 5:40 PM EDT

Here's the news:

The Washington Nationals today acquired second baseman Emilio Bonifacio from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch. Bonifacio was optioned to Triple-A Columbus of the International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

The switch-hitting Bonifacio entered the 2008 season rated as Arizona's No. 6 prospect according to Baseball America. The same publication also cited Bonifacio as its 2008 Winter Player of the Year—an award encompassing the three Caribbean winter leagues (Dominican, Venezuelan and Mexican)—after he batted .300 and posted a .359 on-base percentage with Licey of the Dominican Winter League.

"This trade brings us a quality, young player, who has the potential to develop into a solid leadoff hitter and outstanding defensive second baseman," 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."

Bottom Line: I LOVE this deal. Bonafacio is legit. .302/.338/.360 in six minor league seasons. 229 total stolen bases with a 78% success rate. He plays a gold-glove caliber second base. And he's only 23. He immediately becomes the Nats best hitting prospect not onthe major league roster. Getting this kind of return for a run-of-the-mill set-up guy in Rauch is a coup.

Granted, Rauch pitched admirably this season in the closer's role, but closing is all about opportunity, and he's still the same guy that would have been settingup Cordero had Cordero not been injured. In fact, it's the same kind of deal Bowden SHOULD have made for Cordero last season!

LOVE THIS DEAL!!!

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I'm doing my background research, and I like what I see too, Dave...

Plus, I’m assuming Mr. Rizzo is VERY familiar with this kid. 29-year-old “Closer” in return for a quick, defensive second baseman…I hope Belliard can play first if he lasts through the deadline…

"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 22, 2008 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

Compaired to

How does this prospect compaire to our first pick in the draft this year?

by CptChaosSidekick on Jul 22, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

LOVE

the username, by the way.

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Jul 23, 2008 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I have to disagree

that this is a good deal for the Nats. Bonafacio is nothing special and profiles as a backup/utility player. While he gives us defense and speed, he has no power at all, he doesn’t walk, and hits the ball on the ground nearly 2/3 of the time. His minor league numbers are inflated by playing in two of the friendliest hitters parks in the minor—Lancaster and Tuscon (think Coors before the Humidor) . And even then they are not good…his major league equivalent stats for last year are .267/307/328, which is just putrid. Throw in the fact that he’s already 23 years old and has no real chance to develop power, and this trade looks even worse. Guys like this are a dime a dozen, and come nowhere close to being adequate compensation for two cheap years of a top line reliever. If he starts with Guzman for two years, that gives us two completely dead offensive positions with slap hitting singles hitters who don’t know how to take a walk. Horrible.

by vaclipper on Jul 23, 2008 1:02 AM EDT reply actions