New York Mets Sign Jon Rauch, Close To Acquiring Two More Relievers

The New York Mets signed right-handed reliever Jon Rauch to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with performance incentives, as first reported by Jim Duquette of MLB Network.

Rauch spent 2011 with the Toronto Blue Jays, and had his worst season of his career. The righty posted a 4.85 ERA, 6.23 K/9 and 2.42 BB/9 across 52 innings of work out of the bullpen. Bill James projects the reliever to bounce back somewhat in 2012, though, predicting him to finish with a 3.55 ERA, 7.11 K/9 and 2.37 BB/9.

As of right now, Rauch would slide into the closer role, but the Mets front office isn't done making moves to bolster their bullpen. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are close to trading for for a reliever and signing another via free agency. Clearly, there is an emphasis on improving the bullpen for the Mets as they continue to rebuild.

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