Adam LaRoche Now a Red Sox, Says Pittsburgh Paper

Word out of Pittsburgh has it that first baseman Adam LaRoche has been traded to the Red Sox. And, no, his brother isn't coming, too.

LaRoche is a left-handed slugger, which could give the lefty-starved Sox a boost behind the plate. A new first baseman in the lineup might mean a move for Kevin Youkilis to third base, which would put the jobs of Mike Lowell and Mark Kotsay at risk. LaRoche could also be a force off the bench, filling in for Lowell, Youkilis or David Ortiz when injuries require. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Update: Ken Rosenthal says that the Sox dealt minor league shortstop Argenis Diaz and another prospect in the deal.

Update: Adam LaRoche, who has a batting average better than .270 in the past three seasons, has only been hitting .249 this year. However, as one source notes, "His lifetime post-break OPS is .901 and his pre-break OPS is .773. So if history is any guide, Boston is buying at the right time."