The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the Red Sox and Pirates have agreed on a deal that will bring Pittsburgh 1st baseman Adam LaRoche to Boston. Further details are unknown at this time but will be passed along as soon as they become available. This from The Boston Globe: "If the report is accurate, the 29-year-old six-year veteran is an intriguing pickup for the Red Sox, who have surprisingly struggled against righthanded hitting this season. LaRoche is batting .247 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs this season, but he has never had a full-season adjusted OPS below 100, and he's one of the most notorious second-half hitters in baseball. His career OPS after the All-Star break is .901. He's hit more the 20 homers in four of his five full seasons, with his career-high of 32 coming in 2006 while he was with the Atlanta Braves. LaRoche, the son of former lefthander Dave LaRoche, was in his third season with Pittsburgh."
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18 comments:
I would think this may mean trouble for soembody in the 1B/DH roatation. Kotsay? Ortiz?
...or perhaps Lowell is injured and Youk will be needed at 3B full time?
Whatever it is, clearly the acquisition of LaRoche is just part 1 in the Red Sox news department today.
Early reports say it was "2 prospects" they traded for him, but nothing confirmed yet.
Because we can take on the rest of his salary - I am sure that the prospects are not too major.
Credit to Dejan Kovacevic for breaking the story
Hunter Strickland and shortstop Argenis Diaz from Sox to Pirates
Hunter: Scouting Report: Tall righty with projectable frame. Fastball sits about 88-91 mph, topping out around 93. Fastball is a little flat, but shows some good movement when he takes something off of it. Strickland has a slow, easy delivery without much explosion at the moment. Good balance. Also works in a 79-82 mph slurve along with a change that sits at 83-85 mph. Changeup could stand to have some more separation from his fastball, look for that to be an area of improvement in 2009.Repeats delivery well, needs to work on his release point to improve his command. His father played in the Tigers organization.
Argenis:
Scouting Report: Diaz is an elite defensive shortstop, and if he improves his concentration on routine plays, he could compete for a gold glove in the bigs right now. He has plus range, excellent footing, an impressive glove, and an outstanding arm. Makes impossible plays in the field. However, he does make a lot of errors on off-the-mark long throws off of grounders that he has no business getting to in the first place. He also really struggles with routine plays on occasion, almost as if he has a mental block. That is a definite area in need of improvement. The other key for Diaz is how much he will hit. He's a slap hitter with below average to average on base ability and without much power, but he's swung the bat very well during a few prolonged stints here and there. Good bat speed through the zone. Struggles with advanced off-speed stuff. Can show lack of plate discipline in stretches. Hits lefties significantly better than righties. Excellent at laying down bunts. Won't steal a lot of bases.
Exciting move!
Anyone know when he is expected in Boston?
Friday
La De Frigging Da.
Wouldn't be surprised if he were part of a bigger deal prior to Friday.
I'm with the Doodle....er Psoxchotherapist on this one. I think the Sox garnering another bargaining chip for deal down the road.
I agree with Duffman
Completely
Sorry Forgot the Photo Much better now.
LaRoche looks like Bert from Sesame Street. Wonder if they'll play "Doin' The Pidgeon" when he comes up to bat?
and just as quickly, "Red Sox trade away Adam LaRoche"
Easy come, easy go.
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