The New York Mets today announced the club has signed free agent righthanded pitcher Jon Rauch to a one-year contract.
Rauch, 33, appeared in 53 games with the Toronto Blue Jays last season, finishing 5-4 with 11 saves. He compiled a 4.85 ERA (28 earned/52.0 innings) with 36 strikeouts and pitched 1.0 inning or more in 39 of his 53 appearances.
Since 2006, Rauch leads all relievers in wins (31) and has appeared in the second-most number of games (434).
He was 3-1 with 21 saves and a 3.12 ERA (20 earned runs/57.2 innings) in 2010 with the Minnesota Twins.
Over his eight-year major league career, Rauch has also played for Chicago (AL), Montreal/Washington and Arizona. He is 39-31 with 58 saves with a 3.82 ERA (221 earned runs/520.2 innings). Righthanded batters have hit .241 against Rauch for his career, while NL East opponents have batted .230.
The 6-11, 290-pound native of Louisville, KY was drafted by the White Sox in the third round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft and is currently the tallest player in major league baseball.
Original Post 12/6
According to Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio, the Mets have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with RHP Jon Rauch.
Duquette is reporting that the deal is for $3.5 million and is pending the physical.
Rauch instantly takes over as the Mets tallest player. He went 5-4 with a 4.85 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 53 games for the Blue Jays in 2011. He allowed 11 home runs, 14 walks and 56 hits in 52 innings while striking out 36 batters.
My tweet from this afternoon says it all…
I’m not a big Rauch fan…
