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Free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche declined the one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer he received from the Washington Nationals, via Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. LaRoche, who was one of nine players in all to reject a qualifying offer, was tendered the one-year offer last week from Washington.
While the move doesn't come as much of a surprise, if any, it does guarantee the Nationals an additional draft pick following the first round in next year's MLB draft if LaRoche signs with any club besides the Nationals.
The veteran first baseman is expected to cash in with a multi-year pact this winter, after the 33-year-old LaRoche enjoyed one of his best seasons in his nine-year career in 2012.
LaRoche clubbed 33 home runs last season, knocked in 100 runs and played a tremendous first base -- committing seven errors in 1367 chances -- for Washington while earning $8 million in 2012.