White Sox reform 1-2 punch in signing Adam LaRoche to two-year, $25 million deal

The Chicago White Sox stayed active in free agency on Friday, inking first baseman Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $25 million deal, according a to report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

LaRoche, 35, fills a couple of big needs that Sox general manager Rick Hahn was looking to address this winter. First and foremost, LaRoche brings left-handed power, having averaged 26 homers over his last three seasons with the Washington Nationals. His .256/.346/.458 batting line over that time frame isn't eye-popping, but that would suffice as a compimentary piece to offensive centerpiece Jose Abreu.

Abreu, of course, also factors into this deal in many ways. Not only does he have another proven run producer to help carry the offense, as a plus defender at first base, LaRoche also gives manager Robin Ventura options and opportunities to keep both guys fresh by limiting time in the field.

Essentially it's Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn 2.0. Abreu fills the centerpiece role, as Konerko did so well for the majority of his 16-year run with Chicago. From 1999-2012, Konerko averaged 30 homers and 93 RBIs while hitting .285. Abreu went .317/.383/.581 with 36 homer and 107 RBIs in his rookie campaign, so it's safe to assume he can equal or surpass Konerko's averages for the next several seasons.

While LaRoche won't walk or homer as often as Dunn, he also won't strike out as frequently. In his 3 1/2 seasons with Chicago, Dunn was a three true outcome hitter almost exclusively, hitting .202 while averaging 32 homers, 96 walks and 219 strikeouts per 162 games. As noted, during that same time frame LaRoche hit for better average with almost equal power. He also averaged 81 walks and 137 per 162 games. .

In many ways, LaRoche makes the White Sox offense more dynamic, in addition to offering the defensive support. Dunn proved unplayable in the field early in his White Sox tenure and almost exclusively DHed throughout. If the White Sox hold on to shortstop Alexei Ramirez and get a full season from right fielder Avisail Garcia, you're suddenly looking at a potentially deep and well balanced lineup that could make them a factor in the AL Central.

Of course, there's still a long way to go this winter, and obviously a lot of ground to cover to catch Detroit, Kansas City and Cleveland. With the signing of reliever Zach Duke earlier in the week and now LaRoche though, Hahn and company have at least put Chicago on the radar and likely on a lot of short lists as 2015 dark horses.