No headway despite end of Winter Meetings in Washington Nationals’ talks with Adam LaRoche-MLB
Even as the Baseball Winter Meetings come to an end, Washington Nationals have failed to announce their decision about Adam LaRoche.
It has been a long time now since the negotiations began concerning contract renewal of LaRoche.
Due to the inability of both the parties to come to terms, the agreement is not being reached. The Nationals are unwilling to offer a three-year deal, which LaRoche is trying his best to earn.
So far, LaRoche has been unable to attract attention of the free agent buyers in the market towards him. They may be eager to hire him but at a price which is almost unacceptable for LaRoche.
The first baseman is overtly confident of his credentials of being awarded a multi-year deal due to his remarkable campaign during the 2012 season.
LaRoche was outstanding for the Nationals at the first base. He claimed the Gold Glove award at this position, apart from winning the Silver Slugger honour.
His contributions were exceptional, especially when the injuries struck some of the premier hitters of the Nationals. He was up to the challenges he came across, leading his team to a respectable position at the division table.
Despite the extra-ordinary show by LaRoche in the last season, Washington’s assistant General Manager, Bryan Minniti has hinted the team will not clinch an agreement with him, which is against the interest of the club.
"'We obviously would love to have him,'" Bryan Minniti said. "'If things don't work out, we have capable options. We'll see how it plays out. You never know.'"
The Nationals are ready to use other options in case their talks related to extension fail to produce anything.
If LaRoche does not come to their organisation for the next year, they are going to send Michael Morse from the left field to the first base as a replacement for him.
On the other hand, retention of LaRoche will pave way for the emergence of a possibility of trade of Morse to some other club by the Nationals.
It is because in that scenario Morse will not be required by the team anymore due to the availability of other options.
LaRoche will be hoping that he earns the deal that he wants as soon as possible.
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