The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with first baseman Adam LaRoche on a two-year, $25 million contract, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today and Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
Adam LaRoche, White Sox reportedly agree on 2-year, $25 million deal
The White Sox have agreed to terms with first baseman Adam LaRoche on a two-year contract with a reported $25 million.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
LaRoche, who turned 35 in November, hit .259/.362/.455, a 124 OPS+ with 26 home runs and 92 RBI in 140 games for the Washington Nationals. 2014 was the final season of a two-year, $24 million contract he signed before 2013. The first baseman missed three quarters of the 2011 season after shoulder surgery, but has rebounded the last three seasons to average 26 home runs, 24 doubles and 74 walks per season with the Nationals.
Washington declined its $15 million mutual option on LaRoche on Oct. 30, opting instead to pay him a $2 million buyout.
The first baseman was also pursued by the Miami Marlins, who reportedly offered LaRoche a two-year, $20 million deal last week.
On one hand the move seems odd since the White Sox have reigning American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu at first base, and he hit .317/.383/.581 with 36 home runs and 107 RBI in 2014, also finishing fourth in MVP voting. But the designated hitter spot is open, with slugger Adam Dunn getting traded to the Oakland Athletics in August and Paul Konerko retiring at season's end.
Dunn and Konerko combined to start 103 games at DH for the White Sox in 2014, with Abreu starting 35 games there. LaRoche in his career has played 1,420 games at first base, and seven at DH. LaRoche won National League Gold Glove honors at the position and was a finalist in 2014.
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