Boston Red Sox Acquire Adam LaRoche In Trade For Hunter Strickland And Argenis Diaz

Adam LaRoche has been traded to the Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have completed a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates bringing first baseman Adam LaRoche to Boston and sending minor leaguers Hunter Strickland and Argenis Diaz to Pittsburgh. Here is the official press release from the Boston Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA—The Red Sox today acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for shortstop Argenis Diaz and right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland.

Adam LaRoche is a 29-year-old first baseman hitting .247 (80 for 324) on the season with 12 home runs 40 RBI for the Pirates this season. LaRoche has a history of turning things on in the second half of the season, ranking 12th among NL players with an OPS of .941 after the All Star break since 2006, a history the Red Sox hope will continue as they try to overtake the New York Yankees in the AL East.

It is believed LaRoche will fill in at first whenever third baseman Mike Lowell needs a rest, with first baseman Kevin Youkilis sliding over to third. There were some early reports that cash was sent to Boston as part of the deal, but that is apparently untrue. The Red Sox will be paying the remaining $2.95 million remaining on LaRoche’s contract, which expires at the end of this season.

Here’s a funny video featuring Adam LaRoche and “LaRoche’s Ladies” who were fans from his time with the Braves:

For a  lowdown on Hunter Strickland and Argenis Diaz, the best short analysis I found was over at the fantastic fantasy news site rotoworld.com:

Hunter Strickland: Strickland has posted a 3.35 ERA and 51/13 K/BB ratio in 83 1/3 innings for Single-A Greenville this season. The right-hander boasts a low-90s fastball, but needs to develop his secondary pitches if he’d like to enjoy a major league career. He doesn’t turn 21 until September, so time is on his side.

Argenis Diaz: Diaz, 22, boasts a slick glove but has struggled at the plate on all levels. He was hitting just .253/.309/.310 in 76 games this season at Double-A Portland and posted a .284/.332/.382 batting line in 110 games between Single-A and Double-A last year. His fielding ability can get him to the big leagues, but his bat may keep him from ever becoming a starter.


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