LaRoche to BoSox for two prospects

[inthebrain]

As if we didn't see that coming.

http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/Knee-jerk-trade-spin-Adam-LaRoche-to-the-Red-So;_ylt=Am2nN13sFfHYQ42APgh0oQ8RvLYF?urn=fantasy,178086

Knee-jerk trade spin: Adam LaRoche to the Red Sox

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche(notes) has been dealt to the Red Sox for as-yet unknown pieces a pair of semi-prospects. LaRoche has been a terrific second-half hitter over the course of his career, which isn't news to the fantasy community. His lifetime post-break OPS is .901 and his pre-break OPS is .773. If history is any guide, Boston is buying at the right time.

But what will the Red Sox do with LaRoche? Will he fill the Mark Kotsay(notes) role? Is Mike Lowell(notes) headed back to the DL? LaRoche is probably looking at spot-start/platoon duty, so his fantasy value clearly takes a hit unless other pieces are in motion. Note that Jack Wilson(notes) (hamstring) is out of the Pirates' lineup today. Garrett Jones(notes) is at first, Ramon Vazquez(notes) at short. (Speculation there. Sorry).

My knee-jerk fantasy reaction is this: Pick up Lastings Milledge(notes) if you need outfield assistance and/or steals. This trade would seem to clear a path to playing time for him, with Garrett Jones shifting permanently to first base. More discussion as details roll in...

[madinmaryland]

1. Not surprising. Adam LaRoche is in the last year of his contract, and the Pirates

have no intention of resigning. He has essentially been a bust with the Pirates. He hits .200 in the first half and then raises it to .250 by the end of the season.

[inthebrain]

3. I remember when he came up with Atlanta a few years back

He was billed as the next great thing there along with Francoeur. He never really materialized into what everyone felt he was capable of.

Looks like he gets a decent amount of HR but strikes out a ton as well.

Wouldn't be so bad if you had power coming from other positions. Might not be a bad guy hitting at the bottom of the order.

The guy who's replacing at fist in Pittsburgh is supposed to be really good. What's the story on Milledge?

[madinmaryland]

4. Didn't they pick up Milledge earlier this summer from the Natinals?

Garrett Jones has looked pretty good since coming up from AAA in June.

[inthebrain]

5. Yeah

He was one of the guys I was hoping the Mets would bring back.

I havent seen him in any lineups lately. I was wondering what the deal is with him.

[PRETZEL]

6. Garrett Jones is the guy replacing Larouch

seen him play last couple of day when I had MLB Extra Innings free preview. He reminds me a little of Nick Johnson.

Milledge's a head case. What the fascination with him is is beyond me.

[inthebrain]

7. I don't think he's a headcase in the Barry Bonds sense of head cases

He just gets a little over enthusiastic.

For some reason Baseball Players and their soft egos can't handle that.

When he was in New York he ran up the first base line slapping hands with the fans after hitting his first career home run. That got him in a lot of hot water. It was in the papers here for weeks non stop.

Milledge isn't a "headcase" in the sense you and I think of head case where he's a primma donna.

[joeybee12]

8. If it happened anywhere but New York...

...he would have been a hero...

[PRETZEL]

9. There's nobody in the Barry Bonds headcase category,

that's not what I was referring to.

But you mentioned some of the things I had remembered about him from the couple of times I saw him in NY and Wash.

Maybe headcase not the right word, but it did seem to me that he didn't take the game as serious as someone who has the talent and priviledge to be a major league ball player should (imo) show.

[inthebrain]

10. You had the right word. That's the smear they use on this kid...

Seems to be a catch all phrase used in sports.

Milledge is very much a gamer. Can't get cocky at times but he's not a jerk. It's all about the game. He's kinda typical of most kids that come up when they are young. Ihad always felt that the same thing said about Milledge could have been said about Wright. The media can be really racist at times.

Jose Reyes gets the the same kind of shit as well. I think it unfair.

After 06 stupid Willie Randolph wanted the Mets to tone it down as he thought they were a little too arrogant. That's why, in part, this Mets team has come unraveled over the last two seasons. Winning baseball teams are arrogant as fuck.

The Braves were the ultimate arrogant motherfuckers in the game. Chipper Jones fucking personifies that and even named his first born son "Shea". Andrew Jones was a cocky bastard as well.

Today Phillie is arrogant as hell. Even before winning the WS they were arrogant.

The Red Sox are really fucking arrogant.

Same with the Yankees. Especially Jeter.


Arrogance in baseball is part of the swagger of winning in this game. All winning teams display a certain degree of it. It's part of what keeps them rolling along and enthusiastic about the game.

[PRETZEL]

2. Couple bags of baseballs,

is basically what we got in return.

From initial reports on another website I go to, lower minor leaguers. Shortstop is supposed to be good glove, no bat and the pitcher is pretty much roster fodder.

Best of luck in Boston Adam.

[Forkboy]

11. The Sox may need an extra body in the infield. This sounds like an insurance move more than anything

[joeybee12]

12. They need something that might shake things up...

...this week has been horrible for all decent, god-fearing people!

[Forkboy]

13. The bats are too streaky this year.

Outside of that 12 game streak, the bats have been wildly inconsistent, at least it seems that way to me. Two guys will be hot and two guys will be ice cold. But we knew this year would be like this. The Yanks stocked up over the off season and it was clear the race would be tight all year long. Add Tampa to the mix and the finish should be a wild one.

[joeybee12]

15. That Baltimore, 11-10 debacle was not a good sign...seems like since

then they have been unfocused...they can't seem to raise their level of play when need be, like in the past...if they can get through the rest of the week ok, then maybe things will turn out alright. Tampa and Satan have been streaky also, let's hope their bad play returns.

[madinmaryland]

16. Get a room you two!!

:rofl:

[madinmaryland]

14. BTW, the Pirates beat the Brewers this afternoon 8-7.

[joeybee12]

17. Who?

:shrug:

Sorry, but I don't follow soccer...which team did you root for?

[inthebrain]

18. This is getting interesting

Lots of teams starting to move up in the standings. I imagine that's why the Twins are absent today.

Florida and Atlanta are starting to put some wins together.

Even Pittsburgh is playing well.

The Frisco small men's bubble is popping and they might even finish below Florida and Atlanta once again.