Zrebiec: Bartlett and LaRoche are top targets

[srock]

How old is Laroche and is his numbers at all comparable to Derek Lee or Pena

Here is some analysis.

[Hooded Viper]

Izzy is a bad choice for util inf if we carry a extra pitcher. He would be worthless to pinch hit.

How often do utility infielders pinch hit? If anything he would be pinch hit for by the player he was spelling that day.

[Going Underground]

I don't want LaRoche for any more than about 2/16, but I guess that would be an acceptable deal. He's pretty much the definition of a league-average player. His 114 OPS+ is average at first, his glove is average (a little below by TZ, about average by UZR, the fans have him dead-on average)).

I guess you could say he's about 2, 2.5 wins better than the Atkins/Wigginton/Hughes comedy troupe. Probably comparable in value to Luke Scott, just avoiding the whole "learning to play first base" mess.

Might be a 2 year deal and an option. 2/19 and a buyout,perhaps? This is probably not going to happen today.

[markdublya]

It looks like LaRoche certainly holds his own vs. LHP. We would expect about a .750 vs LHP.

I'm more for Laroche by the minute. I don't think I give up on Nolan (and otheres?!) for Bartlett!

[hoosiers]

I like LaRoche quite a bit and was hoping we would sign him last offseason. He would be a substantial offensive and defensive improvement over what we've had at 1B for quite some time.

I think any contract below 3/$27M would be a good one.

[srock]

How many more runs can we expect with LaRoche and Reynolds at the corners versus last year's production?

If Reynolds and LaRoche play to there 3 year average in 2011, we would see the following improvements in OPS and WAR. I'm not sure how to translate that to runs.

LaRoche

1B (New Player - O's) = Potential Improvement

OPS: 824 - 680 = 144

WAR: 2.13 - (-1.1) = 3.23

Reynolds

3B

OPS: 808 - 646 = 162

WAR: 2.47 - 0.0 = 2.47

I'm actually willing to go 3 years with LaRoche if the dollars stay low enough that we have no issue signing a big 1B should the opportunity present itself. He isn't great, but I'll take a consistent 1B at this point.

[Slappy]

LaRoche would be fine with me as a 1B target. He has an .827 career OPS, 114 OPS+, consistently hits 25-30 HR with 35-40 doubles and has decent (not great) plate patience. He's also a solid fielder.

It is kind of interesting to be taking both corner IF from a team that one fewer games then we did, but I digress...

Bartlett is a better option than Izturis. I'm not sure where that 2009 season came from, but even at a decent expectation of around .700, he's a significantly better offensive option. Can we get him without giving up a bullpen arm?

These moves would improve the offense from last year. Hopefully we don't hurt the pitching staff too much in the process. Would really like to see us keep our 4 starters.

[Sports Guy]

With LaRoche and Reynolds both striking out a ton in Arizona, is it possible the hitting coach is to blame a little?

Well, his K rate has been going up the last 3 years. His contact rate has also been going down.

In 2010, he swung at more pitching outside of the zone than any point in his career.

So, I am not sure you can blame their hitting coach, since LaRoche has seen a decline in these areas on other teams.

Now, that being said, his decline did get worse in Zona, so there is possibly something the team was asking from him that made him be worse in these areas...but the decline was already happening.

[Going Underground]

Well, his K rate has been going up the last 3 years. His contact rate has also been going down.

In 2010, he swung at more pitching outside of the zone than any point in his career.

So, I am not sure you can blame their hitting coach, since LaRoche has seen a decline in these areas on other teams.

Now, that being said, his decline did get worse in Zona, so there is possibly something the team was asking from him that made him be worse in these areas...but the decline was already happening.

I am going to ask a dumb question:laughlol: How much better is Werth then LaRoche?

[Jimbo81]

And Mark will have a buddy on the team.

I could see us going after LaRoche but, we would be getting a little LH happy IMO.

[Sports Guy]

I am going to ask a dumb question:laughlol: How much better is Werth then LaRoche?

Probably 2-3 WAR better right now...Werth is good defensively and plays a more premium position.

Werth will walk more and give you 30ish points more in OBP.

[Brendan25]

And Mark will have a buddy on the team.

I could see us going after LaRoche but, we would be getting a little LH happy IMO.

We could work around it. If Adam Jones has grown enough he could slide into the middle of the lineup in the 3 slot and make it alot more even.

[Sports Guy]

And Mark will have a buddy on the team.

I could see us going after LaRoche but, we would be getting a little LH happy IMO.

I wonder if they add LaRoche is they would look to trade Scott OR at least go get a righty bat for LF?

[Going Underground]

I wonder if they add LaRoche is they would look to trade Scott OR at least go get a righty bat for LF?

Willinhgam is a righty. Who knows maybe get him to play LF. Then we have some lefty/righty balance.

[Brendan25]

Albert Pujols is a righty