An official decision won’t have to be made until later this week, but Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks are unlikely to exercise their $7.5 million option on first baseman Adam LaRoche for 2011.
Back in September both LaRoche and the team expressed interest in working out a contract extension, but that was before Kevin Towers took over for Jerry Dipoto as general manager and now Piecoro writes that the Diamondbacks are likely “to direct their available revenue toward pitching and the bench.”
LaRoche hit .261/.320/.468 with 25 homers, 37 doubles, and 100 RBIs this season, more or less duplicating his career marks while earning $4.5 million. If the Diamondbacks decline his $7.5 million option they’ll owe him a $1.5 million buyout.
