Red Sox Add LaRoche

The Red Sox have traded for Pittsburgh's Adam LaRoche in an effort to pump some life into their slumping offense. LaRoche, a lefthanded-hitting firstbaseman, was acquired in exchange for Double-A shortstop Argenis Diaz and Single-A pitcher Hunter Strickland. LaRoche should be a great fit for the Sox. His numbers (.247 BA, 12 HR, 40 RBI, .770 OPS) don't jump off the screen and amaze anyone but keep in mind he has played for the offensively inept Pirates all season. Over his six-year career, LaRoche has posted solid numbers (averages of .269, 20.5 HR, 71 RBI, .824). He should succeed hitting in Boston's lineup and he should also help improve the Boston offense. By getting out of Pittsburgh, expect to see LaRoche blossom, similar to what Jason Bay has done in his year in Boston. Playing in a playoff atmosphere and hitting in a better lineup should only work in his favor. He fits into Boston's offenisve strategy - he sees on average just over four pitches per at-bat - and with a good inside-out swing, should benefit greatly from the Green Monster during home games. With Mike Lowell still looking like they injected cement into his hip before the All-Star break, LaRoche affords Terry Francona the luxury of moving Kevin Youkilis to third base, playing LaRoche at first, and sitting Lowell. Lowell could DH once or twice a week, giving David Ortiz the occassional day off. LaRoche also allows Youkilis to rest once a week, if needed. If LaRoche can play tonight, this is the lineup I would expect to see from Francona: 1. Ellsbury - CF 2. Pedroia - 2B 3. Youkilis - 3B 4. Ortiz - DH 5. Bay - LF 6. LaRoche - 1B 7. Varitek - C 8. Drew - RF 9. Lowrie - SS This is the third time since 2003 that the Red Sox have made a trade with the Pirates. In 2003 the Sox shipped Freddy Sanchez to Pittsburgh for pitchers Jeff Suppan and Scott Sauerbeck. Last year the Sox and Dodgers sent multiple prospects - including Craig Hansen from Boston and LaRoche's brother Andy from Los Angeles - in the deal that brought Bay to Boston and sent Manny Ramirez to L.A. Hopefully LaRoche will help the Red Sox advance past the ALCS, where the newly acquired Pirates in '03 and '08 ended their seasons.