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« Freddy Sanchez Rumors: Friday | Main | Red Sox Agree To Terms With Cuban SS »
Pirates Hope To Deal Adam LaRoche
The Pirates would like to deal Adam LaRoche and his $7MM salary, but he's only attracting minimal interest, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The 29-year-old first baseman becomes a free agent for the first time after the season. He's hitting .259/.345/.464 with 12 homers so far, better than he usually does in the first half. Over the course of his career, LaRoche's OPS is 129 points higher in the second half.
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This is an interesting situation. Normaly I would think you should just hang onto him and get the compensation pick because it's more than you are going to get in return, I don't think they need to move his salary that badly.
At the same time I have this feeling that he would accept arbritration considering how messy the system is, he might get a big one year payday or at least more than he would get in free agency.
Posted by: The_Bunk | July 10, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Mets could have him for a song...
Minaya better hop in.
Posted by: KingBen | July 10, 2009 at 09:10 AM
If the Braves could swap Laroche for Kotchman and an unimportant minor leaguer or two, that would work.
Posted by: Ron Edwards | July 10, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Depending on the asking price (and at $7M, I can't imagine it being that great), the Red Sox may have some interest.
Posted by: Papelboner | July 10, 2009 at 09:16 AM
The Bunk: as of the last Elias Rankings, LaRoche WASN'T trending to be an A or B free agent - there would be no compensatory pick.
I'd much rather leave him at 1B for the rest of the year and at least have his defense there if there is no comp pick
OR
I'd like to see G. Jones get some innings at 1B. He's a LH bat as well. Pearce just scares me, both at the plate and in the field. If G. Jones looks like he can do the job for a year or so, then move LaRoche for ANYTHING that would improve the talent level in the minors. We all know LaRoche is no long term answer.
Posted by: xlazox | July 10, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Laroche + Sanchez + Capps
to Atlanta for
Kotchman and Kelly Johnson
Thoughts?
Posted by: mike | July 10, 2009 at 09:56 AM
"Laroche + Sanchez + Capps
to Atlanta for
Kotchman and Kelly Johnson
Thoughts?"
No way Pirates do that deal. They can get much more for those 3 guys. Much more.
Posted by: melonis rex | July 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
"Laroche + Sanchez + Capps
to Atlanta for
Kotchman and Kelly Johnson
Thoughts?"
Puke...
Posted by: yokedog22 | July 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Laroche + Sanchez + Capps
to Atlanta for
Kotchman and Kelly Johnson
Thoughts?
Posted by: mike | July 10, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Dumbest thing I've ever read here. Of all the deals made, this is not the type of deal Huntington has made. Just because the Braves traded Kotchman for Tex, doesn't make him valuable. How about Sanchez and LaRoche for Hanson, Heyward, and Freeman? Sounds about as good as your proposal.
Posted by: indybucfan | July 10, 2009 at 10:10 AM
We dont want Casey Kotchman nor would we be interested in Kelly Johnson. Next!
Nor would the Pirates ever give up that much MLB talent for 1 guy that good and one that is a HUGE underachieving hitter. and Im pretty sure Braves fans know which one is which.
Posted by: Dempsey | July 10, 2009 at 10:11 AM
"Laroche + Sanchez + Capps
to Atlanta for
Kotchman and Kelly Johnson
Thoughts?"
Terrible for the Pirates Laroche and Kotch man is a wash. Sanchez is better than Johnson and Capps is a great closer that is under team control for several years and he is only 25.
Posted by: BucSox | July 10, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I think they should just eat big parts of both Sanchez's and LaRoche's contract to get more talent Jack Wilson too for that matter. Grabow and Capps are valueable enough.
Posted by: BucSox | July 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Indybucfan,
I realize you were being sarcastic. But I wouldn't take the entire Pirates team for just one of Hanson, Heyward or Freeman.
Posted by: desertbrave | July 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Laroche to the Braves would be kindof ironic considering the Braves dealt him to the Bucs in the first place.
Posted by: DavidA | July 10, 2009 at 10:39 AM
BucSox, if that is an option, Im sure its the on NH and FC will go with.
Adding more talent to the system is the absolute #1 Priority. Heck Regardless of Position...however, we cannot go into august without MI for the future. And if Freddy and Jack get traded...immediate future. Well at least at short. Remember, we have Vazquez signed through next year...He could easily play second for the remainder of the year on a fulltime basis.
Posted by: Dempsey | July 10, 2009 at 10:41 AM
The Pirates should be looking to deal both Sanchez and LaRoche to SF. The package would start with J. Sanchez plus another quality prospect filled out with some quality depth guys.
With Lince and Cain at the top of the rotation this lineup could compete for the wildcard or even, with some luck, chase down LA:
1. Rowand CF
2. Sanchez 2B
3. Sandoval 3B
4. LaRoche 1B (great second half player, .907 career 2nd1/2 OPS)
5. Molina C
6. Schierholtz RF
7. Winn LF
8. Renteria SS
The heart of that order is darn good without any black holes at the bottom.
The Pirates should then look to deal Wilson and finally competely reload under the new regime.
Posted by: bbxxj | July 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I was suggesting LaRoche to the Mets weeks ago. Can't understand why the Mets didn't jump on him. He could be had w/o giving up a top prospect.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | July 10, 2009 at 10:50 AM
braves wouldn't take laroche back. he was in cox's doghouse for his lackadaisical play
Posted by: kevin1013 | July 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
YFS78: I def. agree with you there. Mets should have made a move to try and get ahead in the East. That way when there injured guys return they can get a nice cushhion in the standings.
Braves fans: Maybe laRoche won't be coming back, but seriously offering a .286 OBP of Kelly Johnson for 3rd time allstar Freddy Sanchez is crazy.
Posted by: Steveo26 | July 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Laroche back to the braves is not a crazy idea. Kelly for sanchez is absurd. Chipper and the other guys love when the pirates come to town or when they go to the pirates soley bc they love laroche. A realistic trade would be jojo for laroche but then you are still stuck with kotchman. So you would have to include kotchman in some type of deal with the pirates to obtain laroche. Also, we are not in need of second baseman currently. Martin prado has earned a chance to start everyday and second base and by the way he has played he is going to keep it.
Posted by: chriskinger | July 10, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I am not sure why Pirate fans are that worried about replacing the middle infield. Middle infielders are, after relievers, the cheapest positions to buy in free agency. It wouldn't cost that much (maybe 3-4 million or so) to buy a league average 2nd baseman in free agency. Also, shortstops as good or better than Jack (at least at the plate) can be had in free agency pretty cheaply as well. If there is any position the Pirates can afford in free agency, it is middle infield. Looking at the 2010 free agency class for second baseman, I can name a few the Pirates could easily afford and would do well enough (Belliard, Eckstein, Hariston Jr) to merit trading Freddy now if it meant a few quality prospects came into the system. Someone like that would help pass the time until some of the players in the lower minors are ready.
Posted by: kett08 | July 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Would a scot moviel or brant rutisch be enough for adam
Posted by: beastOftheEast | July 10, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Beastoftheeast: I think one of those guys would do it with maybe a PTBNL. I think one solid prospect would be all it takes.
Kett08: Yes they can come pretty cheap, but the Pirates would like a long term solution, not a David Eckstein type of player. Also Belliard is awful this year, and won't draw much interest next season.
Posted by: Steveo26 | July 10, 2009 at 11:56 AM
I think LaRoche could become a Brave if it just required Kotchman and a low level guy or maybe a 3 or even 4 team deal that brought an OF to Atlanta. Cox wasn't upset about his lack of effort playing, but in 2006 Mike Gonzalez had saved 32 staright, Craig Wilson was still viewed as a 25hr guy, and they thought Scott Thorman had 40hr power. Obviously in hindsight we know that Gonzalez had T.J.S. and has become inconsistent, Craig Wilson played all of 30 games before getting released and Scott Thorman is now busting tables and the reason the Braves had to trade for Texiera.
Posted by: bravoboy10 | July 10, 2009 at 12:19 PM
kett 08- If we wanted an older stopgap, we wouldnt be trying to trade wilson.
We have Vazquez thru next year whom can absolutely play second base.
But we need someone young in order to be a contributor for 2011. That is the unspoken year for us to compete.
So for us to deal away 2 guys that are far above replacement level MI'ers, then we need to bolster the future in return. Which is why I like the matchup with SF so much. Nick Noonan would be far and away the best 2b in our system if we could pry him away from the giants. Then at least we have Brian Friday and Nick Noonan for 2011.
But I agree, next yr, we can put someone in from FA as a stop gap if we need to, but the future is what we are focused on.
Posted by: Dempsey | July 10, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Why would the Mets waste any prospects on Adam Laroche? Adam Laroche would be riding the bench once Delgado comes up. That's such a waste of talent.
Posted by: recca | July 10, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Pucetas and PTBNL for Laroche
Posted by: recca | July 10, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Kettering, do you really want any of those guys you listed at 2nd base next year? Me either.
Posted by: bucs_lose_again | July 10, 2009 at 01:06 PM
What if delgado doesn't come back full strength in late august.
Next year laroche would be a better option then delgado.
Posted by: beastOftheEast | July 10, 2009 at 01:11 PM
Delgado might also come back hitting like he did in 2007 rather than the way he hit in the second half of 08. Laroche would be a good option to get better without giving up a top prospect. These are the moves Omar should be making.
Posted by: tinski | July 10, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Can somebody please explain to me why the Pirates would trade for Jonathan Sanchez or Casey Kotchman.
If they wanted a bad left handed starter, they'd bring up Tom Gorzelanny. If they wanted an average first basemen they'd just keep LaRoche.
Honestly people.
Posted by: nmagera07 | July 10, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Even if Delgado comes back and doesn't hit the Mets will still have to start him. You can't keep a player with his salary on the bench. The smart thing would be for the Mets to acquire a first base/ outfielder type.
Both players have expiring contracts. So it doesn't matter if the Mets have Laroche at the end of the year.
Posted by: recca | July 10, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Adam is one case where I almost don't care what Neal gets for him. If he can make a decent deal, fine, but they should move him regardless.
LaRoche has been the ultimate rally-killer this year. He's now down to .234 with runners on and .218 with RISP. That's not a bat you want in 4-5-6 slot.
At this point he's more productive riding pine than starting. Soon as Milledge is ready to come up, put Jones at 1b.
Posted by: RichW | July 11, 2009 at 07:47 AM