Gonzalez for LaRoche (called off)

[yogallardo43]

The Braves are exteremly close to acquiring Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates for 1B Adam LaRoche. Advantage way in favor of the Braves.

 

(more specific subject -TC)

(third subject -1992casey) http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[brettac1]

Advantage way in favor of the Braves.

 

I disagree whole-heartedly. LaRoche blew up last year - .285/.354/.561 with 32 HR. They're trading 140 games of solid performance, and a manageable contract, for 50 IP.

[yogallardo43]

Looking at the numbers I change my mind I agree with you.

[Ennder]

I dunno, Gonzalez still walks too many and has injury questions. Laroche had a .915 OPS last year. Big question with Laroche is whether he's going to be able to take that next step against lefties and become a true stud 1B or not.

[dadofandrew]

Bob Uecker and myself have always loved LaRoche due to his beautiful swing. I've always been a believer that an everyday player is far more valuable than a relief pitcher, so I have to favor the Pirates, though Mike G is a serviceable, solid reliever.

[jwaltz]

I think the advantage here goes to the Pirates. LaRoche broke out last year. Not only was he a good offensive firstbaseman he is also one of the finest defensive firstbasemen in all of baseball. His defense has been compared favorably to JT Snow. Way to go Pirates if they turn a closer that is more of a luxury for them into a very good firstbaseman.

[GAME05]

and it's not like the Pirates really need that closer for their playoff push, so why not get that big hitter instead? I don't say it to mock them, we're not exactly light years ahead ourselves.

 

I think it's a smart move. Plus LaRoche must have been top-dollar since Boston is desperate for a closer, too.

[1992casey]

Here's what I'm now finding at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Pirates' trade with Braves on hold

 

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Pirates are plenty eager to trade for Atlanta first baseman Adam LaRoche, and they have offered closer Mike Gonzalez to get him.

 

But the Braves are waiting to make sure Gonzalez is healthy, and that has left a potentially done deal in total limbo.

 

Gonzalez did not pitch after Aug. 24 because of tendinitis in his left elbow. The elbow was examined Aug. 28 with an arthrogram, a procedure in which dye is injected into the affected area to enhance the test's images, and no damage was detected. Gonzalez was back to pitching in side sessions by the final week of September.

 

Because he did not pitch again in a game, though, Atlanta officials have raised a red flag about a trade that otherwise already would have been executed, according to multiple sources

 

Tomorrow marks the end of Major League Baseball's four-day winter meetings, and the Pirates have yet to make a move.

Splitter's link in the locked thread appears to be gone.

[GAME05]

Is it cold feet? The GM makes the handshake, changes his mind, and now can do everything possible to make sure the doctors nix his health report.

[splitterpfj]

It still looks like a go in Atlanta, pending health reports.

 

www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2006/12/06/braves_topheavy.html

[mothershipconnection]

I think this would be a great pickup for Pittsburgh. Gonzalez is a very good reliever, but they need building blocks, and a great reliever is a piece I've always thought of as something you add when you begin to contend. This trade would make them better in every game, not just the rare ones when they have a lead late. To build a team you need to start with a solid rotation and a couple of great young bats. Laroche was better last year than any season Carlos Lee or Soriano have put up, plus he's just hitting arby.

[Crewin06]

I think this would make the Pirates a Dark-Horse team next year. They have a decent staff and with Bay and LaRoche in the middle of your lineup anything can happen.

[brettac1]

I wouldn't go quite that far, but it's stunning to see them make a trade that actually looks good. They should have a decent offense with those two, and maybe Sanchez is legit. Still, with the Duffys and McClouths of the world, someone has to get on base.

[splitterpfj]

OK, I'm done updating this thing....it's off.

 

mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061206&content_id=1753129&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp