After months of waiting and trying to find the three-year deal he was seeking, Adam LaRoche will be remaining with the Washington Nationals, albeit for one less guaranteed season than what he wanted. The first baseman signed a two-year, $24-million contract with Washington that includes a mutual option for 2015. It’s not exactly the type of deal he wanted, but it does ensure he will be with one of the National League’s better teams and in the place where he’s enjoyed his best career success.
In 2012, LaRoche hit .271/.343/.510 with 35 home runs and 100 RBI. The home runs, RBI, and his 155 hits were all career highs and he provided another big bat for the team that won the most games last season. He actually finished sixth in the MVP race and won his first Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove. For a man who is 32 year’s old, the performance of his career came at just the right time as he could cash in on one big contract before his playing days wind down.
But that’s not entirely what happened. The Nationals were only willing to commit to a two-year deal early on in the offseason, while LaRoche searched for an extra year from other teams. That third year never came, however. As one of the best first basemen on the market this winter, it would seem he wouldn’t have a problem getting the type of contract he wanted. But he became another victim of MLB’s new rule which requires teams to give up a first round pick when signing players who had been offered qualifying contracts by their original team as many clubs have been hesitant to give up their draft picks.
The only team that showed much interest in his services was the Boston Red Sox. They had already agreed to terms with Mike Napoli to play first earlier this offseason, but have struggled to restructure the deal due to concerns with his health. It was entirely possible the Sox were just talking with LaRoche to speed up a resolution with Napoli. Boston General Manager Ben Cherington hasn’t been very willing to make a strong push for any players whose signing would require them to give up that draft pick. LaRoche’s signing with Washington makes it that much more likely the Red Sox and Napoli will work out their differences.
As it stands, LaRoche will settle back into the middle of the Nationals’ lineup and provide a strong glove at first base. His presence, though, may force another National out of town. LaRoche will surely be the everyday first baseman. Bryce Harper, Denard Span and Jayson Werth will command the outfield spots, so, all of a sudden, 30-homerun outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse is relegated to a backup role and has become expendable.
The 30-year-old was somewhat limited last season due to injuries, though he still did manage 18 home runs in 102 games. In his only full season in 2011, he hit 31 home runs and added 36 doubles. The career .295 hitter would be a very attractive trade option for other teams looking for offensive help and the Nationals would surely give consideration to dealing him for some Major League pitching depth. Morse has expressed his displeasure with his new situation on Twitter and has said he does not want to go to the American League as a DH.
Regardless of what happens with Morse, the Nationals did well to bring back their 2012 team MVP. Even though LaRoche wasn’t able to get the third guaranteed year he was looking for, with two more seasons like his 2012 campaign, he will either assure himself of that third-year option or find another lucrative contract somewhere else. More importantly for Washington, they’ve helped cement their lineup as one of the National League’s best yet again.
