The Chicago White Sox are dealing with a real surprise at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, where the team is training this Spring. Left-handed designated hitter Adam La Roche, signed as a free agent prior to 2015 and due $13 million in 2016, abruptly retired from baseball. The reason? La Roche was not allowed to have his 14 year-old son around in White Sox camp. La Roche opted to walk away rather than comply. That could make room for Phillies left-handed first baseman Ryan Howard.
La Roche Tweeted the following upon his retirement, without fully giving the story:
Thank u Lord for the game of baseball and for giving me way more than I ever deserved!#FamilyFirst
— Adam LaRoche (@e3laroche) March 15, 2016
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports followed with a clearer explanation:
Sources: LaRoche chose to retire after #WhiteSox prez Ken Williams told him that he no longer could bring 14-year-old son into clubhouse.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016
While LaRoche's retirement may excite some White Sox fans who saw LaRoche have one of his worst offensive seasons in his career in 2015, the White Sox have a real void. Enter the Phillies and Howard.
The White Sox have Jose Abreu as their first baseman, a right-handed hitter. La Roche provided left-handed balance in the lineup, splitting some of the time at first base with Abreu, though Abreu got the overwhelming majority of starts at first base. At this point in Spring Training, what left-handed first base/designated hitter bats might be available for the White Sox? There are not many. And, the Phillies might be eager to make a move.
ESPN's Jayson Stark did his weekly spot on 97.5 the Fanatic's Mike Missanelli show, and expressed doubt Howard would be around for the season:
"Ryan Howard won't finish his career as a Phillie.I don't see a scenario where he finishes the season on this team" @jaysonst on Ryan Howard
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 16, 2016
Given the needs of the White Sox, maybe it will happen sooner than that.
The White Sox get back $13 million and it would cost them hardly any of it if they took a chance on Howard. Presumably the Phillies would consider Howard's final $25 million season as money already spent and instead use the roster space on someone else. Moving Howard would not only free up a 25-man roster spot, but also a 40-man roster spot, something that will be of a premium if the Phillies look to add some of their non-roster invitees to camp. If the White Sox paid the Major League minimum of Howard's salary, that might be enough.
As for Howard, he can veto any trade. The Spring Training location may be less than ideal for Howard, a Tampa Bay resident who lives about 30 minutes from Phillies Spring Training. But, there are just two weeks left of Spring Training and Howard would be on the road most of the season anyway. Howard would be re-united with friend and former roommate Jimmy Rollins, who would certainly help Howard feel comfortable on the South Side of Chicago to approve a trade.
The trade may be a bit far-fetched; maybe the Phillies have to release Howard and let another team sign him. A trade would be much more dignified than an outright release. Given what Stark suggested this afternoon, maybe there is indeed a match between the two teams. The Phillies may have already made a phone call.
