Boston's LaRoche: Potential Trading Chip?

The Boston Red Sox traded for Pittsburgh Pirates first basemen, Adam LaRoche, just a few days ago on July 22. Boston was in desperate need of another bat, that has pop,  to add to their lineup. Boston's GM Theo Epstein pulled the trigger on a deal which sent two Minor League Prospects to Pittsburgh in exchage for LaRoche.

LaRoche currently has 12 home runs on the year, a decent amount. He averages around 25 home runs a year and he his second half career batting average is around .300.

Now is he the quick fix Boston fans want? Possibly, he might spark the team a bit. Is he going to add some pop to their lineup? Yeah, possibly. But rumor has it, LaRoche could possibly be a small chip in a potential trade that could send an All-Star power hitter to Boston. Possibly San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez and Cleveland Indian's Victor Martinez.

According to Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports, "The Adam LaRoche deal has no impact on the Red Sox’s interest in Martinez, but so far Boston reportedly is unwilling to give up Clay Buchholz" So adding LaRoche to a possible Casey Kelly and Justin Masterson package, Cleveland might pull the trigger.

Edes also stated "The Red Sox continue to track Cleveland’s Victor Martinez, the switch-hitting catcher and first baseman". So there is a good chance that the two parties could get a deal done.

But would it be that much of a big deal if no deal gets done? I don't think so. Boston was fine throughout most of the first half of the season in offense. The team just has found some of their key players, Jason Bay and J.D. Drew in slumps, so the team has took a downfall in offensive production every night.

LaRoche is a nice fit in Boston. He can help out Mike Lowell by playing firstbase and Kevin Youkilis moving to third which would give Lowell a nice day off.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona has placed LaRoche in the starting lineup tonight against the Baltimore Orioles, so now we can see how well LaRoche will fare in Boston with his current role.