What are the statistical storylines tied to the Chicago White Sox agreeing to a two-year, $25 million deal with first baseman Adam LaRoche?
LaRoche is the team's second notable addition this offseason along with left-handed reliever Zach Duke.
The lefty power bat they needed
The White Sox were in need of a left-handed hitter to pair up with right-handed slugger Jose Abreu.
Adam LaRoche
#25 1B
Washington Nationals
2014 STATS
- GM140
HR26
RBI92
R73
OBP.362
- AVG.259
White Sox lefties ranked 24th in MLB in slugging percentage (.373), 26th in home runs (38) and struck out the second-most often of any team (23.4 percent).
LaRoche has hit 79 home runs over the last three seasons, with at least 20 in each season. Seventy eight of those came as a first baseman, the most of anyone specifically while playing that position.
LaRoche has hit at least 20 home runs nine times since becoming a major leaguer in 2004. He’s one of 10 major leaguers with at least nine 20-homer seasons in that 11-season span. He's a discerning hitter, ranking 15th in the majors in walk rate over the last two seasons.
He’ll also be moving away from a home ballpark that isn’t hitter friendly to one that is much more conducive to power. Nationals Park ranked 22nd for “Park Factor” for left-handed hitters for home runs last season. U.S. Cellular Field ranked 10th.
He can field reasonably well too
LaRoche would be a better defender at first base than Abreu would, which would allow the latter to move to designated hitter.
Over the last five seasons, LaRoche has 20 Defensive Runs Saved at first base, with a Gold Glove to his credit in 2012 (a year he finished sixth in the NL MVP voting). Last season, Abreu had -11 Defensive Runs Saved, worst for anyone at that position.
Weakness: Doesn’t hit lefties well
LaRoche is a bit feeble when it comes to facing left-handed pitching. He’s hitting .201 with eight home runs in 268 at-bats against them the last two seasons.
He misses on 27 percent of his swings against lefties compared to 20 percent of his swings against righties.
Windy City rivalry suits him well
LaRoche will fit in fine to the Windy City rivalry with the Chicago Cubs. He is a .273 career hitter with 22 home runs in 79 games against them. That’s his second-most home runs against any team.