Well the Redskins weren't the only team busy this week. The Washington Nationals have resigned Adam LaRoache to a 2 year deal worth $24 million with a mutual 3rd year option. If you know me, I am not a fan of bringing LaRoache back. He played one season here in DC and got paid for two. He is coming off of a career type of year at the age of 33. Players are notorious for having big years in a potential contract year and coming off of an injury I would have let LaRoache walk and taken the first round pick when he eventually signed elsewhere.
Before everyone erupts let me at least explain my reasoning. Adam LaRoache has hit 30+ home runs twice in his 9 year MLB career. Michael Morse has 1 30+ home run season in only 3 years. Morse didn't have spring training last year with his injury or else he would have eclipsed the 30 home run mark again. Morse didn't regain his full strength until the season was about over and a majority of his home runs went to right field as opposed to center and left in 2011. Morse may only be 3 years younger, but does not have the same wear on his body as LaRoache. Morse also hits for a higher average than LaRoache, as Adam has a career .268 average. Morse on the other hand has a career .295 average, albeit with less at bats but Morse does get more base hits and uses all parts of the field. LaRoache has a shift put on during a majority of his at bats.
I do however understand that LaRoache is a better fielder. While Morse doesn't have a long history at first base he does have a career 994 fielding percentage at first. In 2011 Morse played 723 innings at first base and only yielded 6 errors, not too bad in my opinion. We will use LaRoache's gold glove 2012 season in comparison and he played 1323 innings at first with 7 errors. A 995 fielding percentage. Morse's 2011 fielding percentage was 992. LaRoache is not a small guy at 6'3 but when Morse (6'5) played first base it seemed like less throws went over his head.
LaRoache's big season comes at a time where Joey Votto was injured for a good bit of the season, Prince Fielder went to the AL, Ryan Howard missed half the season and LaRoache was the only first basemen in the NL to have 100 RBI. I am not trying to diminish what LaRoache did, but he is just an above average first baseman. With Zimmerman's arm issues and rumored potential move across the diamond, why lock that position up for 2-3 years instead of getting through this season and maybe offer Morse a one or two year extension? It would also save the club $12 million this year to pursue the bullpen help that they still need. While LaRoache is a solid veteran first baseman, I personally do not believe he was the best option for this club and will regret not starting Michael Morse at first.
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