PITTSBURGH, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Atlanta first baseman Adam LaRoche was traded Friday to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a four-player deal.
LaRoche and minor league outfielder Jamie Romak were headed to Pittsburgh in exchange for relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez and minor league infielder Brent Lillibridge, the Pirates said Friday.
LaRoche had career highs in batting .285 with 32 home runs and 90 RBI in 149 games for the Braves in 2006. Defensively, he has made just 17 errors over three seasons.
Gonzalez went 3-4 with a 2.71 earned run average and 24 saves in 54 appearances for the Pirates last season. He is projected to be a set-up man, along with new Atlanta signee Rafael Soriano, for Braves closer Bob Wickman.
The 21-year-old Romak hit .247 with 26 doubles, 16 home runs and 68 RBI in 108 games with Atlanta's Class A affiliate last season.
Lillibridge, 23, hit .305 with 13 home runs and 71 RBI in 128 games with Hickory and Lynchburg, both part of Pittsburgh's minor league program.
