Pittsburgh Pirates Offseason Update - January 2007

The Pittsburgh Pirates (the Bucs, the Buccos) have recently acquired Adam LaRoche for Mike Gonzales. It is interesting to consider the Bucs and La Roche contract terms. In fact, this is the first time this winter when John LaRoche has become eligible for arbitration. When the player exchanged salary figures with the Braves last Tuesday, he was looking up at a contract of $3.7 million for the 2007 season, while Atlanta offered him $2.8 million. Recent team history proves that the Pirates will be trying to find the way to agree to terms with LaRoche on a one-year basis prior to going before an arbitration panel.

Since LaRoche will not be acceptable for free agency until after the 2009 season, he will be facing contractual control of the Pittsburgh Pirates for three years to come. Experts say that the contract with LaRoche is unlikely to be immediately signed on a long-term basis due to the General Manager’s reluctance to making immediate long-running deals.

Being a great potential power bat in the team’s lineup, Adam LaRoche should bring many wins to the team. They say that LaRoche is sure to show his best with the Pirates, and twilight of his career is out of the question. In fact, LaRoche belted 32 home runs last season, including 21 on the road, and his success in the games depends only on his health. If everything goes well in the 2007 season, he should do wonders in the team’s lineup. Besides, one cannot deny that LaRoche is regarded as one of the best defensive first basemen in the National League. Therefore, his presence in the team is crucial.

Now that Gonzales is no longer playing for the Pirates, the team’s closer in 2007 will most likely become Salomon Torres. Torres (will be 35 in March), is signed through year 2008 with a team option for 2009. The Pirates also have views on Matt Capps as a potential future closer. Alternatively, the choice may fall on Josh Sharpless.

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