I'm a skeptic on LaRoche over 2 years. That said, it is interesting to see how we've kind of become more accepting of mediocrity at first as the off-season went on.
Remember it was Dunn or no one?
Then it was, who are the alternatives? Pena? Unacceptable. Konerko? too old, right handed. V-Mart? not really a first baseman, loses value if he does not catch. Huff? up and down, last year might have been the fluke, is he a defensive upggrade. All were questionable, but at least there were alternatives to Dunn. And no way should we take a chance on Lee - too old, down year; Overbay - injured, old, no power; LaRoche - nice power last year, but nothing else (his OBP was lower than Pena's! and he does not hit as many homers).
Then when Victor, Huff, Dunn, Pena, and Konerko came off the board, it was "hmm, maybe Lee has the bounce back year?" and "what about Hawpe, he played first until he got to Colorado" and "IF the hang up with LaRoche is 3 years, then give him three years."
I would have been happy with a quick move, Eric "RJ" Hinske (fat old guy who gets lucky a lot) to platoon with Morse. But now, with the Willingham hole, we likely need 2 position players, not one. I'm not confident in LaRoche v. LHP, and I'm certainly not confident in finding two acceptable guys v. LHP among Morgan, Bernie, and Ankiel. Morse can only be one spots partner in a
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so we probably need a Cantu (to partner with LaRoche if we get him) or a RH OF.
In hindsight, this off season may have been severely damaged when we did not come up with something more valuable than Vin Mazzaro when David DeJesus was traded, especially if the Riz was committed to moving Willingham.
Salvageable, but likely too slow.
