The D’Backs declined their half of the $7.5MM mutual option for Adam LaRoche, according to the team. Instead, they’ll pay the first baseman a $1.5MM buyout. LaRoche, who turns 31 this weekend, hit 25 homers in 2010 and reached the 100 RBI plateau for the first time in his career. He batted .261/.320/.468, posting an OPS under .800 for the first time since 2005.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see D'Backs GM Kevin Towers bring in a new first baseman in 2011. The team would like to cut down on strikeouts and appears to have interest in free agent first baseman Paul Konerko. If the D'Backs offer LaRoche arbitration and he turns it down to sign elsewhere, they'll get a sandwich round pick in next year's draft for losing a Type B free agent.
I suggested in September that LaRoche could eventually sign a similar deal to the one-year $6MM contract he signed last winter.
I would like to take this moment to personally laugh at not only Adam LaRoche but Brad Penny as well. In case you didn’t hear, the Giants won the World Series. If memory serves correct, you didn’t want to come to SF when SF wanted you. You wanted to go to Arizona, and now they don’t want you. Too funny.
Humm, we get it giants won the w.s enjoy it now while u can. It won’t be for another 60 years before you see it again. Alot of the giants players won’t be back again next year so we all don’t expect a repeat. And I’m sure money had Alot to do with the reason why Adam didn’t come to s.f. This season is finally over and forgotten, and can’t wait for April. Go A’s!
Dunno about its veracity, but there was a report that the Giants actually offered more money to LaRoche than what he ended up taking.
According to LaRoche and his agent that wasn’t the case. There was supposedly a discrepancy in what was reported to be the Giants offer. I don’t remember exactly what it all was now but the Giants offer wasn’t as good as it seemed if you can believe the player and agent.
HE WANTED TO GO TO A HITTER PARK…
Who cares…its not like he could have predicted the Giants were going to win the WS. He preferred Arizona over SF big deal.
Not sure why all the hate on LaRoche. He thought he could get more money and he didn’t. I’m sure players turn down deals from teams all the time that we don’t hear about.
He seemed like a generally good guy who was well liked by his teammates. And at least he didn’t go the Johnny Damon way of approaching free agency.
your memory is correct, and when I asked him a couple of days ago if he wished he would have signed with SF he said and I quote “absolutly not” he did not want to live in SF no matter what. He is more consurned with his and his familys comfort and happiness than money.
your memory is correct, I asked Adam a couple of days ago if he wished he would have signed with SF and he said and I quote “absolutely not”. He did not want to live in SF no matter what. He is more concerned with his and his familys comfort and happiness than money.
With a 7.5M club option and a 1.5M buyout, LaRoche is probably worth the net 6M. And even if the D-backs don’t want to give him that kind of money, I would think they could have sent the same amount of money with him in a trade for something useful. I just think this move could have been handled in a smarter fashion.
Agreed. Whoever loses out on the big name 1b options this winter might have been interested. Even if the got Konerko they’d just be creating a surplus to trade from. It’d be risky but $6 million isn’t going to bust a team, even AZ, and LaRoche does have a certain amount of value. I’m sure they know what they’re doing, I guess they’re going for the draft pick, but it seems like they could have done more.
I AGREE…
It’s not that LaRoche isn’t worth the $6MM net, it’s that the D-backs have Brandon Allen who is going to make $400K, who should provide more surplus value.
Considering the glut of FA 1B options, I doubt someone would have rushed in to give up an asset to acquire LaRoche unless Arizona was taking back someone with a similar salary in the deal as well. Why trade a minor leaguer for someone when you can simply sign a free agent from a loaded market to provide the same service at a similar monetary price?
Good point about Allen; as a Giants fan I have my reasons to dislike LaRoche and Allen (from a “please go somewhere else so we don’t have to face you anymore” standpoint), but Allen is the better value by far. Still, I hope that Allen finally finds his position and has a healthy season, much as I’d prefer he do it somewhere like the AL Central.
His journeyman career just got a bit longer
Dear Adam,
Thanks!!!
Hugs,
Aubrey!
1B market is too flooded, there’s not really a point in holding onto LaRoche and limiting your options. They could find a cheaper guy looking to bounce back, make a big splash, or even bring back LaRoche at a discounted rate. I can assure you his agent’s phone won’t be ringing off the hook with guys looking to sign him.
I would not say that the 1B market is flooded at all. Once you get passed the guys who can’t play the field, can’t stay healthy, and can’t hit 25HR there isn’t a lot to choose from. The options appear to be: Dunn or Konerko. Performance and health questions remain on names like: Berkman, Branyan, Lee, Huff, and Pena. It would have been a good idea for the D-backs to hold onto LaRoche as insurance until/if they get who they want and the market pans out.
Baseball is a business of acquiring and stock piling talent, right?
Interesting thought: If you’re Adam LaRoche and are offered arbitration, do you accept? Technically, his salary was a mere $4.5MM last year, so the raise wouldn’t be significant, and probably would be below his $6MM net option price.
Who will have an easier time finding a job, LaRoche or Pena?
Easily Pena…unless he’s asking for a ridiculous amount of money
Rays next 1B? He shouldn’t be too expensive and he’s a left-handed bat.
What about Leslie Anderson? I thought he would eventually take over 1B, or play the OF, I can’t remember…
It would be cool if lars anderson acaully was good at the big leagues and then leslie was the rays first baseman……. two first baseman named Anderson in the same division….. think of the “Mr. Anderson” possibleites!!
In other news i can’t spell.
The Konerko scenario above, seems v.v. unlikely.
The Konerko scenario above, seems v.v. unlikely.
LaRoche is still a decent option at 1B for a team that needs production out and for whatever reason can get one of the bigger names (Dunn, Konerko, Pena). Cash strapped teams that could be contenders could pursue him like Tampa. Or a team that loses out on a bigger name could be in the hunt too like both Chicago teams,
He is a pretty good fit for a team like the Cubs, Rays and Nationals. They all are in need of 1B and they can likely bring him in on a one year deal and then go after one of the 3 prize first basemen next offseason. At least Chicago and Washington can. Tampa could bring him in along with a corner OF through a trade and be right back in the mix for the playoffs next year.
Here is a guy the Red Sox should be targeting. Solid bat, decent glove, durable, good teammate, low price, and won’t cost you a 1st rd draft pick. Sign him to a one year deal @6-7 million dollars, move Youks to third, and sign either A. Gonzalez or P. Fielder next year.