LaRoche rumors heating back up...

[bravefan29]

The Atlanta Braves, who pulled out of a Gonzalez-for-Adam LaRoche deal at last week's winter meetings, might be back in the mix.

Under one scenario, the Pirates would ship Gonzalez and Castillo to the Braves -- who yesterday non-tendered second baseman Marcus Giles -- in return for LaRoche and right-hander Kyle Davies. The Braves then would flip Gonzalez to the Yankees for reliever Scott Proctor and outfielder Melky Cabrera.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_483954.html

There have been a couple of other rumors recently, none of them particularly thrilling.

One of them was a variation of this 3-team deal (minus Davies and Castillo), the other had Gonzalez going to Boston and the Braves ending up with Coco Crisp.

[rrandom]

Neither Melky nor Coco is a legitimate player for us. Plus, Coco would have to be completely paid for by Boston for it to work at all. Our bullpen is now looking at least decent, we need to start plugging some other huge holes (ie. 2B and LF).

I am willing to trade LaRoche in the right deal, but none of these options qualify.

[kfkorn]

Another Adam LaRoche rumor:

Atlanta also has discussed trading LaRoche to Baltimore for second baseman Brian Roberts, a person familiar with those talks said, also speaking on condition of anonymity.

Yanks discussing deals involving Melky

[Lenny]

With all these rumors about LaRoche, you have to think something will eventually happen. I'm noty expecting to see him play for the Braves this spring. If so, not for long.

[bravefan29]

The Orioles have renewed their pursuit of Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, this time without offering second baseman Brian Roberts.

Earlier this month, Orioles owner Peter Angelos nixed a trade of Roberts and right-hander Hayden Penn to the Braves for LaRoche and second baseman Marcus Giles.

In the latest discussions, the Braves likely are targeting Orioles closer Chris Ray, who could join closer Bob Wickman and setup man Rafael Soriano to give the team formidable late-inning relief.

The Braves probably would want another player in addition to Ray — perhaps Penn. They have been reluctant to trade LaRoche for Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez without receiving another piece in return.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6287132

[BravesRule22]

Penn and Ray for LaRoche, too good to be true.......

I will overlook the Giles thing if JS can somehow pull this off

[jpx7]

"The Braves probably would want another player in addition to Ray — perhaps Penn. They have been reluctant to trade LaRoche for Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez without receiving another piece in return."

Good to hear: I am not so high on trading LaRoche for simply a relief pitcher, and it is good sign that the Braves feel likewise.

I don't mind trading high on LaRoche and, while it has the potential to weaken the lineup for 2007, if the Braves can assemble the right deal, they can mitigate that effect; unfortunately, I don't feel a pitcher that throws 60-80 game innings a season – even in many of them are high-leverage seventh and eighth inning situations – is enough to justify the drop from LaRoche to Thorman.

[bravefan29]

The Pirates' pursuit of Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, which has run hot and cold for more than a month, appears to be picking up steam again, sources close to the trade talks said Wednesday.

The chances of the Pirates making a trade with the Braves for LaRoche have improved now that Atlanta has backed off its request that left-handed starter Paul Maholm be included in a deal. However, the Braves are reluctant to deal LaRoche straight-up in a trade for closer Mike Gonzalez because of concerns about the left-hander's injury history.

Gonzalez converted all 24 save opportunities last season but missed the final 5½ weeks with a strained elbow. The 28-year-old has also had shoulder and knee surgeries during his career.

The Braves want the Pirates to include a second player in the deal, reportedly either second baseman Jose Castillo or center fielder Chris Duffy.

http://www.timesonline.com/site/news...d=478568&rfi=6

[Metaphysicist]

Still with the Castillo stuff? Yeesh.

[MikeT]

Looks like Adam will be the last to know:
LaRoche in dark on trade rumors -- literally | ajc.com

[bravesmasta]

Man,I would hate to see Roche go,he was pretty good for us last year,sometimes he and Andruw were our only sources of offense,especially the last half of the year when he went on a tear.Like somebody mentioned,I'll be aight if the goes as long as it's a good deal,like for a solid relieve pitcher,but not for the Melk Man.

[Snowman]

I don't really understand that line of reasoning... we'd be likely to win more games because of a Melky Cabrera than we would because of a middle reliever.

[bravesmasta]

Nah,Melky is another overhyped Yankee player.Ho many games could he win us?
Plus did you not see our bullpen last year?How many losses did our bullpen cost us?I can't count them.

[Metaphysicist]

LaRoche in dark on trade rumors -- literally

Dave O'Brien, you fail at life.