Nats Make Offer to LaRoche

(Photo: Keith Allison)

Today, it was reported that the Washington Nationals made a qualifying offer to free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche. The Washington Times has more here.

According to the report, the offer is for one-year and $13.3 million. The original offer that LaRoche turned down to become a free agent was for one-year and $10 million. As you can see, this would give LaRoche a hefty $3.3 million more.

This qualifying offer serves two purposes. The first is that it gives Adam LaRoche something to mull over. He has until November 9th decide whether or not he will accept the offer. It also turns LaRoche into a compensated free agent. If he were to decline the Nationals offer and sign with another team, the Nationals would receive a compensatory draft pick.

The compensatory draft pick significantly decreases his value to other teams. According to the Washington Times article, the Nationals would likely receive a second round draft pick. If a team had to give away big money and a high draft pick in order to acquire LaRoche, that will drop the number of teams willing to sign him.

However, should LaRoche decline the offer, the Nationals are still more than welcomed to submit another offer. Like stated above, LaRoche has until next Friday to either accept or decline the Nationals offer.

The Nationals have not yet submitted an offer to free agent relief pitcher Sean Burnett.

Question: Do you think Adam LaRoche should get paid more, less, or exactly $13.3 million? Leave your answer in a comment below!

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Source: The Washington Times