Andy LaRoche approached about move to 2B

I know there has been a lot of speculation about this topic on this site. This article makes it appear the move could definitely happen and would in preparation for the arrival of Pedro Alvarez.

11 months ago Jett 11 comments 0 recs |

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Interesting that LaRoche was swinging at 70-75% for half the season, at least according to him. We can only hope he’ll show close to 100% next year with the wrist problems hopefully mostly behind him.

by Adam Reynolds on Oct 4, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

I'm all about Andy movin to 2nd

But let’s wait til Pedro is able to handle AAA first. In other words, we need to sign a stopgap that can play 3rd until Pedro is ready this June. Any suggestions?

by BadAndy on Oct 4, 2009 3:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Stopgap to play 3rd base… I think an inanimate object could do better than some of our past attempts like Joe Randa and Ty Wigginton.

by ravidesai1984 on Oct 4, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I may be exaggerating just a little bit, but I’d rather let Neil Walker try and turn around his career than just throwing money away on a free agent 3rd baseman.

by ravidesai1984 on Oct 4, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

He was pretty terrible but I agree

He has something to fight for so move him there Pedro is ready. Like you said, better than spending money on someone who’s going to get moved anyways. Not like we’re pushing for the wild card next year.

by dulciusEXasperis on Oct 4, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

No, but in all likelihood Neil Walker is going to suck. If we catch a stopgap 3B in a good year, he might be valuable at the trade deadline.

www.sixtyftsixin.com

by Nate Rose on Oct 5, 2009 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

If you want a temp...

…then on the FA market I see Ron Belliard and Mike Lamb as reasonable candidates. Akinori Iwamura and Pedro Feliz have options that might not get picked up.

And of course, there are always a bunch of minor league FAs of varying quality. Maybe Mike Hessman or Joe Dillon, somebody like that.

Is Walker playing winter ball this year?

by Vlad on Oct 4, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard on a game that he was. Steve Blass was very proud of him.

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on Oct 4, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Good.

That’ll give us some additional time to assess him as a bench/temp option for 2010.

Good for development, too.

by Vlad on Oct 4, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm more excited about Andy LaRoche

getting a shot at 2B than I ever was about Delwyn Young trying the position.

Young needs to join Brandon Moss on the bench as an extra OF/pinch hitter.

I agree with Vlad about the need to see if Neil Waker is a viable IF option off the bench for us at times during 2010.

As with so many others, I’m really looking forward to Pedro Alvarez’s arrival.

by patthatt on Oct 4, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

As I put in the other thread, only 7 3B this year (out of 35 starters or mostly starters) are younger than LaRoche, while 27 are older. McCutchen is the second youngest out of 35 players in CF (to Gerardo Parra).

While obviously McCutchen and Milledge have giant upside, LaRoche most likely hasn’t reached his prime yet either and has upside as well given performance, track record and ability. I’m excited for him next year whether it’s at 2B or 3B.

by Adam Reynolds on Oct 4, 2009 9:30 PM EDT reply actions