PIRATES LAND LAROCHE FOR GONZALEZ
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche and minor-league outfielder Jamie Romak from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Mike Gonzalez and minor-league shortstop Brent Lillibridge.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Pirates
Few teams have had a bigger hole in their depth chart for as long a time as the Pirates' first-base slot. Now it looks like LaRoche will admirably fill that spot for a few years. Entering his fourth season in the majors and coming off a career year, the 27-year-old left-handed slugger will give the right-handed-hitting Jason Bay some much-needed protection in the middle of the lineup. The trade also tightens the Bucs' depth chart with the likelihood of Xavier Nady, who may have been in line to play first, moving to right field and solidifying the outfield corners. As for Romak, he's a 21-year-old outfielder in the low minors who has a little power but still has a lot to prove before he registers significantly on the prospect charts.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
Gonzalez spent a couple of years as one of the better left-handed setup men in the game before breaking through as the Pirates' closer last year. But with Bob Wickman in Atlanta, Gonzalez figures to head back to that setup role. Along with young Macay McBride, the Braves now have a formidable tandem of southpaws in the bullpen. And Gonzalez could take over the closer's role in 2008. Lillibridge is a relatively small shortstop toiling in the low minors at 23. He can consistently spray line drives around the field and has great wheels on the bases. Combined with a good eye at the plate and strong defense, he could scratch and claw his way to a big-league job in a couple of years.
Fantasy impact
