The Washington Nationals have had a busy and aggressive offseason, with their most notable accomplishment being the signing of Jayson Werth to a monster deal. However, they've also been in the market for a first baseman to replace the departed Adam Dunn, and according to Peter Gammons, they've got their guy, signing free agent Adam LaRoche to a two-year contract.
Adam LaRoche Signs Two-Year Contract With Nationals
LaRoche's deal is pending a physical, which should be completed within a couple days. The Nationals and LaRoche had been in contact for a long time, and once Derrek Lee wound up with the Orioles, it seemed a foregone conclusion that LaRoche would sign with the Nats. Terms of the contract haven't been released, but it's expected that he'll be paid between $8-9 million a year.
The 31-year-old LaRoche is coming off a season that saw him slug 25 homers and drive in 100 runs for a last-place Diamondbacks team. He isn't a tremendous threat to get on base and he isn't gifted defensively, but he will supply power from the left side of the plate, which is what the Nationals were after. He'll join Werth and Ryan Zimmerman at the heart of what the Nationals hope will be a much-improved lineup.
For more, check out Federal Baseball.
Update: according to Adam Kilgore, LaRoche’s contract has a minimum value of $16 million over two years, and a maximum value of $25 million over three years. The third year is a $10 million mutual option, with a $1 million buyout.
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