Atlanta trades Adam LaRoche; Gonzalez joins the Braves.

Breaking news for all Braves fans. The Atlanta Braves traded star 1B to the Pirates for P Mike Gonzalez and another unidentified player.

This comes after months of the two teams talking and trying to get the deal done. But after the winter meetings this deal was apparently dead. But out of nowhere news broke just a few hours ago that the deal is done and both teams are just waiting for all players involved to pass physicals.

I actually like this trade, I mean, I really liked LaRoche and at this point we don't have a replacement as good as Roachy but we do have Scott Thorman who is a power hitting first basemen. He will get the first shot at starting at firstbase. Plus with the addition of Gonzo we have instantly upgraded from the worst bullpen last year to the best in the NL and possibly even the ML. With Rafael Soriano coming in the 7th inning, Mike Gonzalez in the 8th and Bob Wickman closing in the 9th. HOT DAMN, looks good to me.

UPDATE:

It is now being reported that "unidentified prospect" that we received is Brent Lillibridge. Lillibridge is a 23 yr old shortstop that in only 128 games last year in the minors, Brent hit .303 13 HR 71 RBIs and 53 SB.

ATL- P Mike Gonzalez and SS Brent Lillibridge
PIT- 1B Adam LaRoche and OF Jamie Romak