As reported by MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch, 29-year-old first baseman Adam LaRoche said Tuesday that he wouldn’t mind sticking with the Pirates until retirement.
"I’m not opposed to playing here for the rest of my career, if it can work it out," LaRoche said. "If they were to approach me, I would take it very seriously. I would take a long look at it to stay here. … Especially with my brother [Andy] being here. I want to play with him as long as I can. And I love the group of guys. I like the staff that we have. My family likes Pittsburgh, and I don’t want to leave that."
GM Neal Huntington said he prefers to shy away from in-season contract negotiations. Even if he was open to it, as Langosch writes, "LaRoche is in line to make $7 million this year, which means the Pirates are probably nearing — if not there already — the point where LaRoche does not financially fit."
A five-year MLB veteran, he hit .270/.341/.500 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI last season. If the Pirates don’t lock him up, LaRoche would make for a fairly attractive in-season trade candidate. He’ll be a free agent after the 2009 season.
