What to do with LaRoche?

Adam LaRoche certainly has had his share of low points during his 1 1/2 years with the Pirates.

Wednesday, he might have hit rock bottom.

LaRoche left seven runners on base – SEVEN – in Wednesday's game. He leads the majors in strikeouts with runners in scoring position (26) and has only 18 RBI in 68 at bats with runners in scoring position.

Earlier in the homestand, a dejected LaRoche said he wasn't going to change his approach because he felt like he was getting good at bats and good swing, but the balls he hit were right at people.

There's already been a call to trade LaRoche, which is understandable but impractical because it would be the ultimate example of selling low.

Now benching him, for a considerable amount of time, that seems conceivable.

The Pirates have a capable replacement in Doug Mientkiewicz who could easily fill LaRoche's spot. He's just as good defensively as LaRoche – Mientkiewicz is a former Gold Glove winner. And while he doesn't have LaRoche's power (though we rarely get to see any examples of that anyway), Mientkiewicz is having a better year at the plate and is a more consistent hitter.

Mientkiewicz should see a lot of playing time over the next two weeks because of his familiarity with the American League (the Pirates play 15 straight interleague games). He, not LaRoche, deserves the bulk of the playing time and, if he performs, should continue to play first when the Pirates get back to their National League schedule as well.