Red Sox Get Adam LaRoche in Trade from Pirates

According to multiple reports, the Red Sox have acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Pirates for two minor-league prospects, shortstop Argenis Diaz and pitcher Hunter Strickland. Laroche is currently hitting .247 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs. LaRoche hit .271 through the end of June, but has slumped mightily, with a batting average of .138 in July. Diaz is hitting .253 in Double-A Portland, while Strickland has a record of 5-4, with an ERA of 3.35 in Class-A Greenville. In addition to the trade, the Pirates will send Boston cash to pay part of LaRoche's $7.05 million contract. LaRoche will be a free agent at the end of this season.

LaRoche, who is young at 29 years old, will most likely have a back-up role to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. He can also shift positions and play at other infield positions. LaRoche could also take the place of Mike Lowell at third base, if Lowell gets injured again. Lowell had been bothered by a sore hip in the past and recently came off the disabled list.

The Red Sox will be LaRoche's third professional MLB team. LaRoche made his MLB debut in 2004 with the Atlanta Braves. He became the starting first baseman in his rookie season, hitting a respectable .278 in his first MLB season. LaRoche hit 22 home runs in his next season with the Braves, helping them reach the playoffs. After three seasons with the Braves, LaRoche would be traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. LaRoche was with the Pirates for two seasons, and was the starting first baseman, but the Pirates could not get over their slump, finishing with losing seasons.

The Red Sox, who are 55-38, dropped to second place in the AL East recently, for the first time in a few months. The AL East is now led by the New York Yankees by one game, while the Red Sox still lead the AL Wild Card standings. The Yankees are currently on a five-game winning streak, while the Red Sox have lost four games in a row.

The Pirates have not been in contention, since they won their last World Series in 1979. They acquired the two Red Sox prospects, as a move to build for the future. The Pirates are currently 41-52, last place in the NL East, and 8.5 games behind the leading Philadelphia Phillies. They have not had a winning season in a while.

The Pirates have made a lot of trades this season. LaRoche becomes the fifth player that the Pirates have traded off their major-league roster this year. The other four have been Nate McLouth (Braves), Eric Hinske (Yankees), Sean Burnett (Nationals), and Nyjer Morgan (Nationals).