D-Backs acquire P Rauch from Washington

When the Diamondbacks were in Washington two weeks ago, a reporter saw general managers Josh Byrnes and Jim Bowden chatting on the field and asked if it was the usual Jon Rauch conversation.

Turns out, it was.

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The D-Backs acquired Rauch on Tuesday to address a suddenly off-and-on bullpen, both as an immediate piece and as a long-term addition with proven closer credentials, for Emilio Bonifacio.

Bonifacio had been projected as the second baseman of the future if Orlando Hudson opted for free agency this winter. The D-Backs have had talks with Hudson about a contract extension, although they will not discuss details and Hudson’s representatives were unavailable for comment.

One D-Backs official said a deal with Hudson would not get done before the July 31 trade deadline, but the D-Backs made the trade anyway because they felt Rauch will provide protection against the possible loss of free agents-to-be Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz this winter.

Rauch, signed through 2010, is 4-2 with 17 saves and a 2.98 ERA after becoming the Nationals’ closer following an early-season injury to Chad Cordero. But he will join Tony Pena and Chad Qualls as a setup man behind closer Lyon here. Rauch had 44 strikeouts and seven walks in 48 2/3 innings before making his D-Backs debut Wednesday night, pitching a scoreless ninth in Arizona’s 9-2 win over the Cubs.

“I don’t think it could have worked out any better. I’m extremely excited to be here and be part of it and just hope I can help the club win,” said Rauch, whose wife is from Tucson.

Arizona has lost 12 games that were tied or in which it has led after eight innings, including a season-high four-run lead in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday. They lost nine games that were tied or in which they led after eight innings in 2007.

“This deal was out there for a little while and we were a little reluctant to do it because ‘Boni’ was the guy they wanted,” manager Bob Melvin said. “But with some of the issues we’ve had here of late, it kind of pushed us a little more to do this deal.”

“Jon Rauch is a very, very good reliever,” general manager Josh Byrnes said.

Rauch, 29, also is very affordable. He signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract this season with a team option for 2010, and could be a candidate to close next season, since Lyon is eligible for free agency after this year.

Rauch is to make $1.2 million this season and $2 million in 2009, with a 2010 option for $2.9 million.

Bonifacio, 23, had two hits in 12 at-bats since being recalled from Triple-A Tucson on July 4. He in essence was filling the roster spot vacated by the injured Eric Byrnes, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list to accommodate the D-Backs’ other move Tuesday, when they purchased the contract of third baseman Jamie D’Antona from Triple-A Tucson and optioned pitcher Connor Robertson to the Sidewinders.

Bonifacio, 23, was considered the best position player prospect in the organization and was a known commodity to Washington assistant general manager Mike Rizzo, who signed Bonifacio as a free agent in 2001.

“Emilio will be missed. He has a chance to be a very good major leaguer,” Josh Byrnes said. “There was a theory that if we were unable to return Orlando, Emilio would be a candidate at second. By the same token, we have two relievers who are going to be free agents.”

Mark Ellis and Mark Grudzielanek appear to be best second basemen on the market after this season, and there is also the possibility the D-Backs could make a deal for one.