No headway in negotiations of Adam LaRoche with Washington Nationals - MLB Update
Talks between Adam LaRoche and Washington Nationals are continuing with little indication that they will come to an end soon.
General Manager of Washington, Mike Rizzo has stressed the importance of keeping patience and considering various factors before making a decisive development in the negotiations.
He is of the view that since inclusion of LaRoche in their team will force them to introduce necessary adjustments on the roster, they will spend some time deliberating and thinking of better ways to deal with the matter.
Possibly, signing contract with LaRoche by Washington will initiate the debate of whether the club should trade left fielder Michael Morse or not. It is because in the event of the LaRoche agreeing with some other team, Morse is supposed to man first-base
next year.
However, if LaRoche returns, Morse will not be required by the club for this position, because his original left field spot will already be occupied by either Bryce Harper or Denard Span.
That is what will force the organisation to make a tough decision about Morse.
Morse will be disheartened in case he is sent to some other team. He was a part of nearly a successful campaign of the Nationals in the last season. He remained an integral component of the offence of the team as he hit home-runs and won matches for the
club.
As far as LaRoche is concerned, he was even more successful than Morse, both offensively and defensively. His consistent shows in the field and at the plate were acknowledged as he claimed Silver Slugger Award and grabbed Gold Glove at first-base.
At the end of the 2012 season, LaRoche declined to accept qualifying offer made to him by the club. He tested free agency instead of joining the Nationals for one more year.
He was hopeful of fetching around three-year deal from the free agent buyers in the market.
From day one, the Nationals showed interest in LaRoche in the market but his demand of a three-year contract made it difficult for the club to sign an agreement with him.
Ever since the Winter Meetings began, LaRoche seems to have reduced his expectations as buyers in the market leave.
This is what has brought the Nationals close to signing a contract with him. Rizzo is gradually taking the negotiations to a point where decision can be expected.
“I don’t think there’s any urgency to set a deadline or a specific timeline we need to get it done,” Rizzo said. “Needless to say, this decision is going to impact some of the other decisions we make. Sooner rather than later is our preference. We’re not
going to pressure Adam into anything that he’s not comfortable doing.”
Rizzo is not in a hurry, which is a good sign for the Nationals going into persuading LaRoche for terms and conditions in the new contract.
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