Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Adam Laroche, Argenis Diaz, and Hunter Strickland

The Red Sox and the Pirates just swapped players and salaries. Word is that the Red Sox acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Pirates in exchange for pitcher Hunter Strickland, 20, and short stop Argenis Diaz, 22.

Rumors are floating about that the Pirates were hoping to unload a salary burden in Adam LaRoche. LaRoche, 29, who signed a contract edging his salary just above $7 million, has failed to impress in the past few years, but has already hit 12 home runs this season.

Salaries aside though, who got the better end of the bargain? From comments swirling around in the news, it seems sports commentators and baseball fans have two completely different opinions on the matter. One thing is for sure, however, and that is the fact the Pittsburgh Pirates are showing signs of being cash-strapped while the Red Sox are sweating from suffering from a Yankees victory Tuesday night, where they forfeited their first-place position.

Will any of the three players be worth the trade? Diaz and Strickland each come with salaries a far cry less than LaRoche's, so that's score one for the Pirates. But LaRoche may be the Red Sox's answer to prayer as an opportunity to let third baseman Mike Lowell take a break, as his hip surgery is leaving his future in baseball a little uncertain.

A source on Fox Sports says that Diaz is "an above-average defender" but it's not a guarantee he will be a hitter. In fact, SoxProspects.com admits he has "lack of plate discipline" in stretches, and likely won't be stealing a lot of bases. Strickland looks to be a promising trade, as according to Fox Sports he has only 13 walks in 83 1-3 innings. Both prospects bat and throw right-handed, while LaRoche is a leftie. LaRoche will be a first-time free agent after this season.

Strickland and Diaz's performances this season will only tell whether the Pirates have broken their losing streak of trades. The Pirates have already traded five players since last July, and most aficionados believe they just keep trading out the good stuff.

But most think it's the Red Sox who have made the mistake this time around. Too many see LaRoche as a mediocre player without much going for him to bolster the team. Their slide into second place after a Yankees victory will look like nothing if LaRoche helps them slip into third.

Sources:
FoxSports.com
SoxProspects.com
MLB.com