Sox trade for Adam LaRoche

Quite what LaRoche adds over Mark Kotsay is debatable although the Sox don’t appear to have given up a whole lot to acquire the Pirates 1B. LaRoche can hit the ball a long way and is known to go on long second half surges but he’s nothing more than a lefthander off the bench, which is admittedly a need since the Sox appear not to be able to hit right-handed pitching at the moment.

Adam Kilgore breaks down the deal pretty conclusively here, whilst over at my favourite non-Red Sox blog Bucs Dugout, Charlie doesn’t appear to like the Pirates haul although one would argue that Adam LaRoche, having a poor season and soon to be a free agent, wasn’t exactly going to draw a great return from any team.

(Pause for a moment whilst Brandon Moss (remember him) hits a walk off shot for the Pirates against Milwaukee.)

Well timed there Brandon since I was about to mention that this is second time the Sox have traded for a Pittsburgh starter midseason in the last two years, with Jason Bay coming over this time last season. The Pirates look to have come off pretty badly in that trade although it’s still early days since only Andy LaRoche (Adam’s brother) has shown anything like competent regular performance in the Majors since the trade – Craig Hansen has bombed and Moss has been injured and/or ineffective.

As a part time Pirates fan (don’t ask) I hope their fortunes improve since I’m well behind their rebuilding programme which for the first time in years seems to be moving with some actual purpose behind it. I’m not too sure this trade gains them anything more than a utility infielder but better that than paying Adam LaRoche to hit some meaningless homers and then depart over the winter for nothing.