Anyone who read my article yesterday addressing the needs and wants of the Washington Nationals knows I said to trade John Rauch.
So, was the fact that they gave up a closing pitcher having a career year up for a middle-infielder prospect a good call? Absolutely.
John Rauch was a great asset to this team. He provided leadership in the clubhouse, and was having a better year than he's ever had in this organization before. But, the fact of the matter is the Nats are not using closing pitchers enough that they can be doing this.
Chad Cordero is paid so much money to be on this team and he rides the DL like it's his job, not closing games. In reality, he was a waste here in Washington. There will be no World Series for this team this year.
He may have been having a career year, but he still wasn't as dominant as a closer needs to be. The D-backs gave up a tremendous prospect, in a place the Nationals have been hurting for supposedly, second base.
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Ronnie Belliard is a capable second baseman at this time, and Bonifacio has a great future ahead of him. The team is set on building for the future, not necessarily trying to win right now.
Rauch will be a great addition to the D-backs pen. Bonifacio will be a direction-changing addition for the Nationals.
Emilio Bonifacio has been widely touted as one of the fastest young players in baseball. While the Nationals are not hurting for speed, it is very important to add to it. Now with Christian Guzman, Willie Harris, Elijah Dukes, and Lastings Milledge, this team is now able to use speed as a weapon.
Bonifacio's defensive additions are going to be key as well. While Ronnie Belliard is still a better defensive player than Felipe Lopez, Bonifacio's range is going to be crucial, using the aforementioned speed as a decisive factor.
With the infield prowess of Ryan Zimmerman, Christian Guzman, Bonifacio (once he gets to the majors), and maybe Dmitiri Young, this team is looking oddly solid in the infield.
Unfortunately, this trade all but is a slap in the face to Felipe Lopez that his run as a National is done, but this should really gives fans a shot in the arm as this young gun comes up. While it is hard to part with the jolly green giant in John Rauch, his departing gave us one of the D-backs most coveted prospects.
Get excited, Washington!
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about 1 month ago
Who is going to be their new closer?
from about 1 month ago
Hanrahan is going to be. Certainly not as dominant as The Chief or Rauch but still decent I think.
about 1 month ago
Scratch Dmitri with his health issues and lazy no account attitude to training...I say he is on his way out.
about 1 month ago
Bonifacio isn't very good. Hate to break it to you, but he can't hit big league pitching.
from 24 days ago
He's done pretty well so far. He may have gone up against a sub-par Reds staff last weekend, but he looked darn good against Cook last night. It is early, but you have to admit he's got a lot of potential.
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