After losing out on free agents Zack Greinke and Josh Hamilton the Texas Rangers are eyeing Adam LaRoche. According to CSN’s Mark Zuckerman the Rangers are willing to go three years to sign LaRoche if necessary.
LaRoche, 33, spent last season with the Washington Nationals. A productive piece of the roster he batted .271/.343/.510 with 33 home runs and 100 RBI. Impressive as those numbers are they are still a considerable step down from the production the Rangers had last season in Hamilton. LaRoche, a recipient of a gold glove this year, would play first base for the Rangers.
Three years sounds like desperation as LaRoche has only attached two year deals to this point. Washington has had interest in bringing him back next season. On Wednesday manager Davey Johnson said he had received “positive signs” from general Mike Rizzo about LaRoche returning to the Nationals.
A dollar amount has never been linked to LaRoche, he received $8 million last season.
LaRoche is not likely to attract much of a bidding war between the two teams as the Nationals also have Mike Morse on their roster. Morse appeared in 102 games last season hitting .291 with 18 home runs.
