The baseball free agency process, from a major league club's perspective, is a very dangerous endeavor. "Winning" the offseason in the winter generally doesn't translate to in-season success. Players are often paid handsomely for what they have done, not what they are going to do.
I lived through it in Seattle with Chone Figgins, and the Indians, just to pick out one club, are feeling it now with Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher.
But the Chicago White Sox have done it right this offseason with their signing of Adam LaRoche. It's a perfect marriage of club, player, ballpark and contract.
Here's why:
Examining the White Sox
Before we get up close and personal with LaRoche, let's get a better feel for his new club prior to his addition, and for his new home, U.S. Cellular Field.
Each year, I prepare my own park factors based on granular batted-ball data.