MLB Trade Rumors reporting Rangers pursuing Adam LaRoche.

I'd love to have Adam LaRoche on the team, but I hope this doesn't mean we're getting rid of Mitch Moreland. We'll need both to help balance out our mostly right-handed lineup.

I'd love to have him, but at what price and for how many years?

I would rather roll out a Moreland/Olt platoon to start the season to see how Olt could produce. If he works out he could significantly increase his trade value or even supplant Moreland. Either way the organization can keep moving forward. If Olt does not perform then its back down to the minors to season a bit more, no harm done. That said Olt's trade value may never be higher than it is right now.

This has got to make FACE furious..... Rangers pursuing Ortiz...LaRoch. When will he demand a trade.

Forgot to mention I think LaRoche is a type A free Agent, Morosi mentioned him declining his $13.3 qualifying offer.

Why in the world would we want Moreland if we could roll out LaRoche everyday. 33HR 100RBI and .820 OPS last year plus a GG winner. Great career numbers, Probably cost 14-16MM a year at 3-4 years. This will be his 33 Y.O. season. He turned down a mutual option of 10MM and has until Friday on a 13.3MM qualifing offer he's expected to turn down.

Makes Moreland trade material.

Please remember I am just awful at trades don't confuse me for a troll on this

Can or would LaRoche become a left fielder or Could Moreland become a Left Fielder?

Suppose Murphy is traded and the Rangers are willing to roll with Moreland/Olt platoon at 1st and then plug LaRoche in LF as an everyday player? I don't see the production at 1st base being the most pressing issue the Rangers face. Even putting Young there a few games OK as it is probably his 2nd best DEFENSIVE position after DH

Or, do the Rangers package Murphy, Andrus and Moreland together possibly along with ______________ to acquire _______________?

Just wondering

Makes you think the foundation of a trade is already in place if LaRoche signs here. I think some team by the name of Tampa Bay needs a 1B and we already know they asked for him 2 years ago.... just sayin...

My two snap reactions to this news:

1) The Ortiz story was not a fluke - management is actively trying to reduce Young's role. This makes me very happy.

2) Moreland could be expendable. Tampa Bay needs a 1st baseman. We need James Shields. It will take more than that but I just feel like Moreland is what he is at this point, which would be fine for Tampa Bay, but a team with the Rangers' means could probably do better.

The issue here is the 3-4 years he would be 37 at the end of that contract. Also Moreland as trade bait is not exactly selling high. On a one year contract I would be all for LaRoche. Outside of that I would rather keep Moreland at first base and pursue a Hamilton replacement by trade. We don't need 33 homers at first base if Kinsler rebounds Face sees more bench time and Moreland plays healthy all season. Spending the dollars on a frontline starter makes more sense.

Think BOS is so desperate for production at 1B that they'll go 3 years or beyond at $10-$12 per (LaRoche made $7-#8 mill the last two years). Remember BOS dealt Gonzalez last year, recently traded Aviles to TOR, will most likely lose Cody Ross to FA, and will prob dump Ellsbury. They need offense big-time.

LaRoche is one of the streakiest hitters in MLB:

2012

.329 - March/April
.247 - May
.182 - June
.304 - July
.239 - August
.324 - Sept./Oct.

We'd basically be replacing a massively streaky hitter with an even more streaky hitter, except the replacement doesn't come close talent and overall production-wise to Hammy. Let BOS have him if they're willing to go 3 or more years. Can't imagine him such an inconsistent hitter putting up good numbers when he's 36.

@Cosmo & gtownfan

LMAO,
You guys do realize a 'Hamilton replacement' doesn't mean it has to be an OF'er. We're looking for a LH power bat in the middle of the lineup. LaRoche fits the bill and he's a gold glover to boot. I'm still rolling in the floor when gtown says we don't need 33 homers at 1B. Oh and BTW if we signed him for 4 years it would take him thru his 36 yo season.

Roy,

No need to be a rude, condescending, self-centered, wild asshole.

Yeee-haaa

I doubt the Rangers are actively looking at him. For how cheap Mitch Moreland is, and for the production he gives, he's just fine. Unless we're in it to make a substantial upgrade at first base, there's no need to spend very much money.

Laroche is going to be looking for a 3-year deal worth something between $11M and $13M AAV. No thank you.

I would also be surprised if we were interested if the contract ends up running 3-4 years but it makes sense to check in early in case his market never develops to that. I suspect it will but if, at the end of the day, he'd be willing to go 2/28 with a 3rd year mutual option, I'd definitely be in favor of that. Even though he's streaky he would offer a relatively substantial upgrade and that kind of commitment wouldn't necessarily preclude us from going after any other FA starter not named Greinke (I can't really see us making any FA signings before we know one way or another on Greinke).

Eric, glad you posted on this, I enjoy reading your posts on possible player moves.

I see OF (preferrably CF), DH, and 1B being the 3 spots to find a bat or bats to improve the team i.e. take Josh's place. IMO Moreland has had his chances and while he may be adequate playing against RHP only (which inflates his numbers). In this case we would be getting a power bat that gives us the chance of 100 rbi and a HR threat. I'm not sure we can do any better with power numbers who can play everyday. His righty/lefty numbers at a quick glance look good .825/.864 OPS.

I will say I'm really surprised so many posts on the forum who think Moreland, Gentry or Martin is all we need to replace the 65 HR and 185 RBI void left by the departing Josh and Napoli. LaRoche is the best FA LH'ed power bat out there.

Kristen W.

All good points. LaRoche played for the division winning Nats last year and at 33 I would think if the money is close he'll want to play for a contender versus a team thats rebuilding. As for as streaky goes there's not many MLB players thats not streaky while playing a 6-7 month season and his bottom line of .853 OPS while hitting 33 dingers and producing 100 RBI is second only to Josh in this years group of FA's.

Is there anyone that we have a chance to get as talented as Josh?? As for as consistency maybe you should take a look at his career numbers. Baseball Reference has his 9 year 162 game average at.820 OPS with 27 homers and 93 RBI.

I may be in the minority but I don't think we need to lead the league in homers and runs scored to be a great team. Perhaps past Rangers teams have accomplished this but I'd be much happier with a team that gets on base and plays smart baseball. I don't think we HAVE to gain 65 homers and 185 RBI to be a top team as long as we keep improving our pitching. I don't believe we are going to replace Hammy's production so we need to get smart players that work the count and get on base. I think we've already made the best pickup of the offseason in Dave Madagan. 40 homers in a season from one player is nice but if we don't get that I think we'll be ok.

*Magadan

WE need a bat to cover Beltre. LaRoche is a fine fielder also.
There's some substance here. Not sure about the price though.

I would be a very happy fan if Laroche became a Ranger. It makes Moreland expendable to trade for a nice pitcher. Laroche is also a fine hitter and I believe we could get him on a 2-3 year deal. Then make another small trade for a catcher (Arencibia) and BAM, the Rangers are back in this. This is all without even using all of the money we have to spend this off-season.

@Roy I agree that Hamilton's offense does not need to be replaced by another OF/CF -- that's why I like the idea of Gentry/Martin as a defensive + baserunning replacement, and a power-hitting DH (Ortiz / Cruz) and/or 1B (LaRoche) to help compensate for the offense. I'm ok with Moreland at 1B assuming we have a legitimate power-hitting DH to offset the loss of Hamilton.

Another thing to consider, regarding the Elvis/Profar situation: The team's needs might change by the All-Star break or trade deadline. Should either of those guys get hurt, we have a suitable replacement waiting in the wings. Should anyone else get hurt, we still have two SS with high trade value. A move doesn't NEED to be made this season (although I hate to see Profar wasting talents in AA), and certainly not this offseason. That gives the team some leverage throughout the year, as long as those two are healthy.

^ sorry, meant to strike Ortiz off the list, not my whole post! (hello preview button)

@Rangers72: you have to close the "strike" tag. Heh.

I'm interested in LaRoche, and have been for a while. I wouldn't break the bank for him, and I'd prefer to figure out who else the Rangers will have in their rotation first, but I'd like to see how amenable he is to playing in the launching pad. Of course, even if he rejects the QO he might re-sign with Washington anyway; but still, we should be interested in him.