A few small rumors today, although the use of the word "rumors" is vague:
-Mychael Urban reports that the Oakland Athletics have prioritized finding a third baseman, and with Adrain Beltre off the board, they've "broached the subject of trading for Andy LaRoche". The A's are also talking about Kevin Kouzmanoff, Jack Cust, and Adam Kennedy as a "plan D or E". This hardly means that we should expect a LaRoche trade. For one, the A's don't even know if they'll try to trade for LaRoche, according to this report. Even if they were trying to trade for him, a deal would still need to be reached with the Pirates.
I don't think a LaRoche trade would be impossible. If the Pirates can trade Nate McLouth, they can trade anyone. However, I'd like to see more of LaRoche in 2010. He put up solid defense all year, and overall was a 2.5 WAR player, which was right at league average for Major League third basemen in 2009. He also came on strong in the final two months of the season, with a .261/.333/.457 line and eight homers in 184 at-bats. That's a pace for 24 homers in a season, and with his defense, those numbers look great.
The numbers would look even better at second base, which is where LaRoche could end up once Pedro Alvarez arrives, assuming LaRoche carries his late season success over to the 2010 season. The A's value defense, so they would definitely see the value in LaRoche, meaning he won't be a "sell low" situation. That said, any move to trade LaRoche would be more of a lateral move, and would put all of the third base position eggs in to Pedro Alvarez's basket. The Pirates would probably be better served hoping LaRoche carries his late season success over to 2010, and either provides insurance for Alvarez, or becomes a possibility to take over at second base.
-Frank Coonelly held his monthly chat on the Pirates.com website. Nothing new or groundbreaking here. He said that they would be adding more bullpen arms before pitchers and catchers report on February 17th, that they're looking at ways to upgrade the team in the outfield, and that they're interested in Rick Ankiel. He said that he didn't expect to add a first baseman through free agency, which probably means that either Jeff Clement will get the job, with Garrett Jones in right field, or Jones would get the job, assuming they signed a free agent right fielder.
-Mychael Urban reports that the Oakland Athletics have prioritized finding a third baseman, and with Adrain Beltre off the board, they've "broached the subject of trading for Andy LaRoche". The A's are also talking about Kevin Kouzmanoff, Jack Cust, and Adam Kennedy as a "plan D or E". This hardly means that we should expect a LaRoche trade. For one, the A's don't even know if they'll try to trade for LaRoche, according to this report. Even if they were trying to trade for him, a deal would still need to be reached with the Pirates.
I don't think a LaRoche trade would be impossible. If the Pirates can trade Nate McLouth, they can trade anyone. However, I'd like to see more of LaRoche in 2010. He put up solid defense all year, and overall was a 2.5 WAR player, which was right at league average for Major League third basemen in 2009. He also came on strong in the final two months of the season, with a .261/.333/.457 line and eight homers in 184 at-bats. That's a pace for 24 homers in a season, and with his defense, those numbers look great.
The numbers would look even better at second base, which is where LaRoche could end up once Pedro Alvarez arrives, assuming LaRoche carries his late season success over to the 2010 season. The A's value defense, so they would definitely see the value in LaRoche, meaning he won't be a "sell low" situation. That said, any move to trade LaRoche would be more of a lateral move, and would put all of the third base position eggs in to Pedro Alvarez's basket. The Pirates would probably be better served hoping LaRoche carries his late season success over to 2010, and either provides insurance for Alvarez, or becomes a possibility to take over at second base.
-Frank Coonelly held his monthly chat on the Pirates.com website. Nothing new or groundbreaking here. He said that they would be adding more bullpen arms before pitchers and catchers report on February 17th, that they're looking at ways to upgrade the team in the outfield, and that they're interested in Rick Ankiel. He said that he didn't expect to add a first baseman through free agency, which probably means that either Jeff Clement will get the job, with Garrett Jones in right field, or Jones would get the job, assuming they signed a free agent right fielder.
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