What to Do With Adam LaRoche

Over at MLBTR, they posted a discussion on what the Braves should do about Adam LaRoche. With his contract up at season's end, they have the situation of whether to try to re-sign him or let him walk.

MLBTR names Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff, and Russell Branyan as the leaders of the upcoming free agent class at first base. While Johnson is the best hitter, he doesn't produce and isn't reliable healthwise. Huff produces similarly to LaRoche but is older and probably commands more money. Branyan can't be trusted to repeat his numbers of this year and whoever signs him will overpay.

So while LaRoche is probably the most attractive of the group and won't demand an outrageous amount from the Braves, there is still the situation of Freddie Freeman. He moved up to AA with Jason Heyward and was on schedule to make a run at the starting job in 2010, but Freeman has struggled in AA and will more than likely return there next season. He's only 20 years old and will probably take another year or so, so signing LaRoche to a two or three year deal shouldn't be out of the question.

It's important to remember that while Freeman has been side by side with Heyward and is often mentioned with him, that doesn't mean Freeman is a freak like Heyward. He may need a couple years at AA or AAA. I think signing LaRoche to a three year deal won't hinder Freeman's progress at all.