Washington Nationals close in on signing a deal with Adam LaRoche-MLB Update
According to a reliable source, the Washington Nationals have made some progress in talks related to the contract extension of the first baseman, Adam LaRoche.
As far as the possible length of the contract is concerned, there is no information surfaced as yet.
Earlier the negotiations halted due to the uncompromising stance of both the parties.
The Nationals did not want to exceed from a two-year deal, whereas LaRoche was asking for more. LaRoche was h**l-bent to earn a three-year contract extension.
LaRoche is boosted by remarkable success that he had during the 2012 season. He was by far the best offensive player of the team.
To say that he spearheaded the whole offence of the club during the season will not be an overstatement.
LaRoche has many reasons to claim the new contract as per his own wishes.
For example, he was the Gold Glove winner for the organisation at first-base in the last season, apart from clinching the Silver Slugger honour.
Above all, he is well connected to the club and knows culture of the team.
In many ways, he is an ideal candidate to have for making sure the Nationals build on their last season success and go on to win the World Series in 2013.
The Nationals consider the importance of having LaRoche but at the same time they fear overpaying him down the line.
They do not want to hire LaRoche for three years as it might result in the low return on investment on him down the road.
At 33, LaRoche makes his potential organisations apprehensive. For the same reason, he has not been signed by the free agent buyers as yet.
Unless LaRoche brings down his asking price, the deal with any of the clubs including the Nationals is not likely to happen.
After weeks of silence, the Nationals have finally resumed talks with LaRoche.
It remains to be seen whether they have changed their plan about LaRoche or the offer has remained the same.
In the next couple of days, further developments can take place.
Infielder, Mark DeRosa has praised extra ordinary 2012 season expedition of LaRoche in the following words.
"Adam is not pulling himself out against anybody. He is not ducking any pitcher in the league. He is batting fourth or fifth no matter where [manager] Davey Johnson put him. He is playing Gold Glove first base and he is going to give me four or five chances
to score in the game. On top of that, what a quality individual. What a family man. He is a guy who cares about his teammates. He is there for the young guys," Mark DeRosa said.
Fans of the Nationals will love to see LaRoche back in the team.
It will be interesting to keep track of the events related to LaRoche in the coming days.
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