Twins Acquire Jon Rauch for PTBNL

by Jesse on Aug 28, 2009 4:16 PM EDT in News Comment 21 comments

Busy night...

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Jon Rauch	2-2	58	0	0	0	2	1	54.1	57	27	25	5	17	35	4.14	1.36

Those numbers look a bit more digestible than Mahay's, right? To make room on the roster the Twins have outrighted Philip Humber to Rochester, meaning he's been removed from the 40-man roster. Which is fine, but who else gets removed for Mahay?

In any case, Rauch (a 30-year old right-hander) is trying to regain the form that made him such a useful reliever when he was with the Nationals from '06 - '08. He's struggled since his move to the Diamondbacks...thus, his availability.

While his strikeout numbers have dipped this season, he continues to do an excellent job of keeping the ball in the park. His FIP numbers have been consistent over the last few seasons, with this year's 3.98 number a more than acceptable number.

The Rauch pick-up does more for me than the Mahay deal, but you have to admit it--the Twins are trying to do something. Even with the claiming of Rich Harden, although it's something that will never come to fruition, at least they're trying. It could be a busy weekend.

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Beat my post by one minute, Jesse

You realize this means war.

by RandBall's Stu on Aug 28, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha...sorry man!

Add it to mine and put your name on it!!

by Jesse on Aug 28, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kid, I kid

It was just a link and quote from LaVelle’s story, no great loss.

by RandBall's Stu on Aug 28, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Next year

Rauch is more interesting, too, because he is under contract for next season. According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, for $2.9 million.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/arizona-diamondbacks_10.html

by dctwin on Aug 28, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

The Twins need to look to next year more than anything. Even if they make it this year, it could be with a sub 500 record. They would get killed by any other playoff team. Next year is the deal maker, litterally. Mauer may look at the record of next years team to decide if he will stay in Mn. These late season rentals do not excite me since it will not make the team a World Series contender. Get some talent for next year.

by dakotajim on Aug 28, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Get some talent for next year."

Well, we can’t. Actually, they can’t do much. After signing Mauer the Twins will have enough moolah for either one veteran starting pitcher/infielder or a couple young high r/r players. Yes, there will probably be a move before next year, but not as many as there have been today.

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by Andersklasen on Aug 28, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

Getting guys for the bullpen does help the team for the playoffs, at least a little – the rotation is cut to four in the playoffs, and relievers are used a bit more aggressively. If the Twins manage to back into the playoffs, they’re in a lot better shape with Jon Rauch in the sixth or seventh inning than Philip Humber, and it’s nice to have an extra lefty so that they don’t waste Mijares for one batter when he could pitch the whole 7th or 8th.

It’s a marginal upgrade, to be sure, but it is an upgrade, and it’s pretty rare that a PTBNL comes back to haunt you.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Aug 28, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Club option for Rauch's 2010 contract.

by benhertz on Aug 28, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it had already been exercised?

by dctwin on Aug 28, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

According to Cot’s, the option had to be exercised within 5 days of end of 2008 World Series, and Arizona exercised it on 10/31/08.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/arizona-diamondbacks_10.html

by dctwin on Aug 28, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My source disappoints me.

My apologies.

by benhertz on Aug 28, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sources will do that to ya. :)

by dctwin on Aug 28, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could this be the most active day the Twins have had in a few years?

I’m itching with excitement that the Twins actually did anything, but then I realize that it’s only Mahay and Rauch. Mahay for under 15 innings.

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by Andersklasen on Aug 28, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My nickel analysis

They know they’re not going to get a significant upgrade in the starting pitching department, and want to have better/newer bullpen options in case they fall face first into a pennant race at some point.

by RandBall's Stu on Aug 28, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's certainly not impossible

Every Tigers fan I know is wondering how they are still up in the division. We are really competing with some less than stellar teams for our division this year.

by dctwin on Aug 28, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's 6'11??

That’s crazy.

by KGMN on Aug 28, 2009 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Now is the time to bring up Loek Van Mil

by benhertz on Aug 28, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If there's a tie in the standings, can they challenge the Tigers to a basketball game?

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Aug 28, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh I hope not

as Gardy will probably slot Nick Punto in at Forward/Center.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 29, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jon Rauch's #'s since May 25th

I noticed Lavelle mentioned he had a 2.5 ERA since May 25th so I looked into it. He’s been pretty darn good since then allowing opponents to hit 237/ 279/ 344/ 623 in that span. Hopefully he keeps it up and just had a rough start to the year. I like the acquisition a lot.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Aug 28, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

He should fill in for Neshek quite well. The only thing I don’t like about this acquisition is it happened with five weeks left in the season rather than in the offseason when the D-Bags acquired him from the GNats.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 28, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs