Potential Targets: Adam LaRoche
AP
Washington Nationals' Adam LaRoche watches his solo home run in the second inning of Game 4 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Target: Adam LaRoche, 1B
Type of move: Free agent
2012 stats: .271 batting average, .343 on-base percentage, 35 doubles, 33 home runs, 100 RBIs and a .995 fielding percentage
LaRoche would give the Rangers something they haven't had since Mark Teixeira was traded away to the Atlanta Braves in the best deal a Rangers GM has ever made. He's coming off a gold-glove season with the Washington Nationals and a career offensive season. The move would obviously squeeze Mitch Moreland at first base as he would turn into a bench player/occasional outfielder (unless he were to replace Nelson Cruz in right field should the Rangers decide to move him). He recently declined a qualifying offer from the Nationals and as a nine-year veteran would probably be searching for a pretty long deal that could be his last big one as a big leaguer at 33 years old. He would give the Rangers another left-handed bat, whose power would play well in Rangers Ballpark and the short right-field porch.
