No LaRoche for Pirates

The Pirates are not going to get Adam LaRoche from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Mike Gonzalez because the offer was taken off the table this evening at the Winter Meetings.

Apparently John Schuerholz and the Braves have now turned their attention to a trade with the Seattle Mariners, because, according to Schuerholz, Dave Littlefield and the Pirates took too long to make a decision and the Pirates believe the Braves were too concerned with Gonzalez's arm condition after missing the end of the 2006 season.

If this "deal" really does fall through, it should stand as an extreme disappointment for Pirates fans. Another Dave Littlefield bomb that will leave the Pirates no better than they were when they left for the Winter Meetings. What bothers me the most, is that if you are going to take the stance that you can't afford the market and you must upgrade through trade, then you can't be afraid to make them. If you want good players, trade good players to get them. If the Pirates could have left the meetings with Hawpe in right for Maholm and LaRoche at first for Gonzo, those are changes that should have been made, albeit if those trades were available.

It appears most likely that the Pirates will leave Florida without anything significant done and for Pirates fans, that in itself is significant enough.