Adam LaRoche, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates

February 14, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Mike Barner
Edited by Ryan Dodson

The Pittsburgh Pirates have become one of baseball's poster franchises for futility. The Pirates haven't had a winning season since 1992, and have finished with 95 losses each of the last two seasons. Over the last three seasons, the Pirates have finished no higher than 13th in the National League in runs scored per game. The Pirates recently looked to one of baseball's poster franchises for success to find a cure.

The Pirates sent closer Mike Gonzalez to the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Adam LaRoche. LaRoche, 27, debuted with the Braves in 2004 and played in 110 games total, 82 of which were starts at first base. That season, LaRoche batted .278, hit 13 home runs and had 45 RBIs. The following season, LaRoche saw his role with the team expand. In 2005, LaRoche started 117 games at first base and played in 141 games overall. Although his batting average dropped to .259, he hit 20 home runs and had 78 RBI.

In 2006, the Braves relied more heavily on LaRoche. Julio Franco departed for the New York Mets, freeing up more playing time at first base. LaRoche came through for the Braves by posting career highs in every major offensive category. LaRoche batted .285, hit 32 home runs and had 90 RBI.

Table: Adam LaRoche's Career Statistics

Year	AB	R	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS
2004	324	45	13	45	.278	.821
2005	451	53	20	78	.259	.775
2006	492	89	32	90	.285	.915

While LaRoche proved to be a vital part of the team, the Braves had a bigger need for relief pitching. Kyle Farnsworth left the Braves to join the New York Yankees before the 2006 season, leaving the Braves without a closer. Chris Reitsma could not repeat the success he had in 2005, and the Braves found themselves lacking late inning relievers. Although the midseason acquisition of closer Bob Wickman from the Cleveland Indians helped the Braves, they still had a hard time getting the ball to him with a lead. The trade for Gonzalez gives the Braves a solid setup man for Wickman.

With Gonzalez out and LaRoche in, the Pirates believe they finally have the offensive player they have been looking for to protect All-Star outfielder Jason Bay. Bay was by far the team's best offensive player last season. He led the team in runs scored, home runs, RBI, walks, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Bay's 35 home runs were more than double that of any other Pirate (Jeromy Burnitz and Jose Bautista were tied for second with 16 home runs each).

Finding Bay protection in the lineup wasn't easy for the Pirates. Bay hit third or fourth in the lineup most of the 2006 season. Over the course of the season, 10 different players hit behind Bay in an attempt to find a player who would force teams to pitch to him. While the midseason acquisition of outfielder Xavier Nady from the Mets gave the Pirates a better offensive player to hit behind Bay, it was obvious that the team would need to acquire a second major power hitter to provide him with real protection in the lineup.

In steps LaRoche, who spent the 2006 season in a powerful Braves' lineup that included catcher Brian McCann, outfielder Jeff Francoeur, third baseman Chipper Jones and outfielder Andruw Jones. Including LaRoche, the Braves had five players hit over 20 home runs. Being on a team with so many offensive weapons meant LaRoche was not counted on to hit high in the order. While he did hit in the No. 5 spot in the lineup in 40 games, he hit out of the No. 7 spot in 61 games. As McCann blossomed into a premier offensive player, he was used as the primary protection for Andruw Jones, allowing LaRoche to be dropped to seventh in the lineup behind Francoeur.

Comparing the Braves' 2006 lineup to the Pirates' 2006 lineup shows a major contrast in offensive statistics. The Braves were second in the National League with 5.24 runs scored per game, compared to 4.27 for the Pirates. The Braves hit 222 home runs, compared to 141 home runs hit by the Pirates. The Braves had a team slugging percentage of .455, compared to .397 for the Pirates. These numbers made LaRoche expendable for the Braves, and acquiring him essential for the Pirates.

While the Pirates lineup is not as powerful or productive as the 2006 Braves, it does have some bright spots. Promising young center fielder Chris Duffy will bat leadoff for the Pirates. Duffy led the Pirates with 26 stolen bases last season. Shortstop Jack Wilson will hit second in the lineup, and while he is not a prolific offensive player, he does put the ball in play. In 2006, Wilson struck out only 65 times. Third baseman Freddy Sanchez had a breakout campaign in 2006, making the NL All-Star team and winning the NL batting title. Sanchez is expected to hit third in the batting order again this season, benefiting from the protection he receives from Bay hitting fourth in the lineup. LaRoche and Nady will bat fifth and sixth in the lineup, respectively.

The 2007 season looks promising for the left-handed hitting LaRoche. Not only will he benefit from hitting higher in the order than he did for the Braves, he will also benefit from playing in PNC Park. PNC Park is 320 feet down the right field line, while Turner Field is 330 feet. Right-center field is 375 feet from home plate at PNC Park, while it is 390 feet from home plate at Turner Field.

The 2007 season projects to be a great one for LaRoche. While his home run total probably won't increase drastically, expecting at least 100 RBI from LaRoche is not too much to ask. Sanchez and Bay will provide him with a significant amount of plate appearances with runners in scoring position, which will force teams to pitch to him as well as Bay. LaRoche is a very good fantasy option at first base, and his low profile should allow for him to be drafted later than his value should merit.

While LaRoche doesn't have the big name to back up his statistics, he will provide the Pirates with a shot in the arm for their ailing offense.

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Mike Barner
Mike Barner has been a KFFL Hot Off The Wire Analyst and KFFL contributing writer since 2007.

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