Two year deal 
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2013-01-08/adam-laroche-free-agency-2013-nationals-re-sign-trade-rumors-michael-morse

mutual option for 2015 with a $2 million buyout.

What does that mean? If one party wants to extend and the other doesn't then the second party owes the first $2m?  And if they both want to extend, how much?

What does that mean? If one party wants to extend and the other doesn't then the second party owes the first $2m?  And if they both want to extend, how much?

Ray - It is one of two things.  Either the Nats have to pay $2MM to walk away in any event or the Nats pay $2MM to walk away only if ALR wants to exercise it.  I'm not sure if the Nats are on the hook if ALR wants to walk away.

Finally!     Welcome back, Adam.  What a lineup!

This should seal Morse's fate here. I've already wept for the Redskins so it's time to get ready for the Nats' run to the pennant.    Unfortunately, Opening Day is 12 weeks away. 

Wow, so it went from 2/$25 to 2/$22 with a $2 buyout on a mutual option?

Rizzo must have made the "this offer goes down $1 million per hour" call 3 hours before LaRoche called back...

Great news but sorry that The Beast most likely will be leaving.

His hitting is superior to Laroche's.

Disagree.

Morse was the better candidate for first base

Strongly Disagree.

The issue was Morse is by far a fan favoritee

I can only hope you're kidding.

To me that's not an issue. The issue was Morse is by far a fan favorite. His hitting is superior to Laroche's. Morse was the better candidate for first base, he was cheaper, and we love him.

They won't get much for Morse simply because the team trading for him will know the Nats have to deal him.

Mostly agree, except for Morse's value being driven by the Nats need to move him.  All it takes is two bidders and you have upward pressure on the bid.

I had pretty much swung to the keep Morse camp but I don't hate this. It really depends on what we get for Morse. I'm still gonna be sad to see him go 

Skole will be ready mid-season , and Rendon to 3d, RZ to first is also an option.

Fiero - the apex of style over substance.

Disagree.

You can disagree all you want. Stats are quite clear.

ALR 2012 OPS: .853
MM 2011 OPS: .910

ALR Career OPS: .820
MM Career OPS: .839

ALR Last 3 healthy seasons: .828
MM Last 3 healthy seasons: .861 (and that includes all of last year)

Morse is clearly a better hitter.

Strongly Disagree.

Better hitter = Better firstbaseman

If not, James Loney and Casey Kotchman would not be failures.

I can only hope you're kidding.

Please. Morse is beloved by fans. Or did you miss the part where an entire freaking stadium was singing his walk up song AFTER the music had cut out? Or how he had tshirts named "Beast Mode""