Heads or tails? Heads, Adam LaRoche goes to the Boston Red Sox. Tails, he goes to the Washington Nationals. You choose—at least that’s what it seems to have come down to this offseason.
Adam LaRoche just came off an awesome season with the NL East Champion Washington Nationals.
In his ninth year in the big leagues, the first baseman hit .271 with 33 home runs, 100 RBI, 76 runs scored and recorded 155 hits in 571 at-bats. He also won a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger Award and finished sixth in National League MVP voting.
The question is: Where will he go next season?
The Nationals have shown interest in bringing LaRoche back, but according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the two parties are still nowhere close to an agreement. LaRoche is looking for a three-year deal, and the Nationals aren’t willing to offer more than two.
The Red Sox, who have shown interest in LaRoche ever since Mike Napoli showed signs of a potential hip issue, are another possible destination. However, according to Peter Gammons, the Red Sox don’t want to surrender a draft pick or—like the Nationals—commit to a three-year deal.
One thing is for certain though: Both teams need to make a decision soon.
The Nationals could go with either Michael Morse or Tyler Moore at first, but Manager Davey Johnson made it known during the Winter Meetings that he would like to have LaRoche return to the lineup in 2013.
The Red Sox, who are in desperate need of a run-producing first baseman ever since trading Adrian Gonzalez to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, have to either work out an injury-contingent contract with Napoli (similar to J.D. Drew and John Lackey’s deals) or pull the trigger on LaRoche.
My guess is the Red Sox will sign LaRoche to a three-year deal—with Napoli heading to either the New York Mets or Yankees. Is that a little too presumptuous?
Either way, LaRoche will sign with someone in the very near future.
What do you think—where will LaRoche end up next year?
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