Signing free agent Adam LaRoche remains priority of Washington Nationals - MLB Update
Washington Nationals’ General Manager Mike Rizzo has reiterated that signing free agent Adam LaRoche in the offseason is the first and foremost task that he will perform.
He has clarified that every attempt will be made to ascertain that the first baseman stays with their organisation.
LaRoche is one of those players that refused to accept the qualifying offers made to them by their respective teams. He also declined the option that the Nationals exercised on him earlier.
Adam LaRoche won the Gold Glove at first base this year as an acknowledgment of his consistent defensive shows in the field.
Defensively, the Nationals relied heavily on him during the season. Apart from immaculate plays that he made in the field, he was equally amazing at the plate.
By striking home-runs and amassing a great number of RBIs, he spearheaded the Nationals’ offence. Even in the face of injuries to main players affecting progress of the team, he remained prolific as he produced runs regularly for the club.
Currently, he is in the free agent market, seeking bids from the interested clubs.
The Nationals have been put in a dilemma because they want to keep him in the team for the upcoming seasons but at the same time they may be unable to pay LaRoche the desired amount of money in the new contract.
Regardless of whether the Nationals win his acquisition from free agency or not, there is going to be tough competition in the market with regard to LaRoche.
Rizzo is conscious of the possibility that the deal may become unfeasible down the line in case the price is too high. However, he will go all-out to make sure the presence of LaRoche on their roster.
"I think bringing Adam back, makes the winter easier for everybody, because he's a known commodity, he's a terrific player and except for 2011, when he was hurt for the first time in his career, he's been an ultra-consistent player," Rizzo said. "He really
stabilizes our defensive effort in the infield and balances our lineup with his left-handed bat. We'd like to get him done, if the numbers work for both of us."
As the days progress, the emergence of exciting free agency related stories can be expected. It will be interesting to see how the Nationals become part of them.
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