This news is promising, as the Nationals had previously been reported to have set an informal deadline of Christmas Day (December 25) to either sign LaRoche or move on. Well, that deadline is just three days away, so it appears the Nationals are making a push to resolve the situation, as speculated by the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore.

September 4, 2012; Washington, D.C., USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) singles in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

It was made apparent earlier this month that the Nationals are eager to bring LaRoche back, when manager Davey Johnson released a statement that he’d, “go to Kansas and take all his cattle to Florida [if I have to]” in order to have him back.

The Nationals reportedly have a 2-year, $25-million offer on the table for LaRoche, with the bump in the road being LaRoche’s desire for a third year. However, it seems unlikely at this point that any team would be desperate enough to obtain him seeing as both Texas and Seattle have satisfied their respective needs for left-handed bats and Baltimore is “wary” of giving up a first-round pick to sign him.

With all of this being said, it really is hard to imagine LaRoche signing anywhere else. The one other suitor to really watch at this point is the Boston Red Sox, who could be swayed into paying up for LaRoche’s services in the event that their agreement with free-agent catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli falls through.

We’ll continue to follow this story as more news comes out.

Baltimore, Seattle and even Texas have their flaws, leaving Washington as the most logical option remaining for Adam LaRoche. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Nationals are currently at two years on a LaRoche offer, and a vesting option for a third year (in his opinion) would be enough to get a deal done.

- Manager Davey Johnson told reporters including MASN Sports’ Dan Kolko that “Adam LaRoche is going to come back. If I
have to go to Kansas and take all his cattle to Florida, I will.”

- Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington reports that the Nationals still have money to spend even after the Dan Haren signing.

- With Mike Napoli agreeing to a 3-year pact with the Red Sox, LaRoche’s remaining prime suitors aside from Washington include Texas, Seattle, and Baltimore. Seattle will pay him, but pending a major turnaround, doesn’t figure to be a major player in the AL West with Texas, Anaheim and Oakland all boasting impressive 2013 rosters. Baltimore is a quality ball club, but with Toronto and Boston both getting substantially better this offseason, it’s hardly safe to say the Orioles are surely contenders next season. Texas, the other favorite to land LaRoche at this point, certainly boasts a competitive club, but job security would figure to be an issue for LaRoche with Mike Olt and Michael Young already in the mix. He’d get his at-bats, but the idea of seeing time away from first base at designated hitter is probably a turnoff. So out of the four clubs reportedly in the mix, the Nationals seem like the clear-cut most logical option.

Put those pieces together along with LaRoche’s verbally-expressed desire to stay in Washington and it’s hard to imagine him in another jersey next season.

LaRoche has long been considered the Nationals’ first priority this offseason. News that another team is very serious about him should be just a bit concerning, though not very surprising after the numbers he put up last season.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the Orioles have emerged as a serious suitor for Adam LaRoche. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Orioles represent another perfect fit for LaRoche: Hitter-friendly ballpark, team in need of a first baseman, team that values defense as much as anyone out there. In fact, the Orioles were linked to LaRoche back in the 2010-2011 offseason before the Nationals ultimately signed him.

With Mark Reynolds gone, the Orioles certainly have a need to fill at first base, and GM Dan Duquette has made it known far and wide that he intends to add a middle-of-the-order bat this offseason. So whether Stark’s report is accurate or not, the Orioles should be considered a player for LaRoche anyway.

The Nationals have been unwilling to add a third year to their offers to LaRoche so far, but Bill Ladson of MLB.com wrote earlier that that won’t necessarily be a disadvantage for the Nats. Ladson said that it appears the Orioles are also unwilling to go to that third year, so whoever caves may ultimately decide the winner of LaRoche’s services.

If the Nationals do intend to trade Michael Morse to acquire that fifth dominant starter, they will be aggressive. What happens with LaRoche will ultimately shape the Nats’ offsesaon.. Without him, they lose a substantial trade chip in Morse, and might be forced to deal prospects or overpay on the open market to fill that final rotation spot.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on all things Adam LaRoche as well as all the other rumors, trades and signings as the offseason progresses.