After more than two months of discussions, it appears the Braves and Pirates have finally agreed to a trade that will bring left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez to Atlanta in exchange for first baseman Adam LaRoche. A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed this agreement and indicated that the deal will be officially completed once both players pass their physicals. It’s believed the Braves and Pirates will both include a Minor League player in the trade.
After converting all 24 of his save opportunities and posting a 2.17 ERA in 54 innings in 2006, Gonzalez missed all of September with a sore left shoulder. He has been examined by doctors twice this offseason and has received a clean bill of health on both occasions. With Gonzalez, the Braves have further proven their commitment to improving a bullpen that struggled last year. They re-signed closer Bob Wickman in September and acquired highly regarded right-hander Rafael Soriano from the Mariners in December.
LaRoche, 27, would fulfill the Pirates’ need for a left-handed slugger to hit in the middle of the order between the team’s two top right-handed hitters, Freddy Sanchez and Jason Bay.
Tags: andy laroche, mike gonzalez