Report: Marlins have shown 'aggressive interest' in Adam LaRoche

In search of a bat to slot in behind Giancarlo Stanton, the Miami Marlins have shown aggressive interest in free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark. 

The Marlins are set to announce Stanton's 13-year, $325-million deal on Wednesday, but Stark reports that the deal is heavily backloaded, allowing Miami to spend money this offseason. 

LaRoche spent the last four seasons with the Washington Nationals and expressed an eagerness to re-sign. However, with Ryan Zimmerman's expected transition to first base, there doesn't appear to be a position available there for LaRoche. 

The 35-year-old had a bounceback year last season after a dismal 2013 campaign. In 140 games, LaRoche slashed .259/.362/.455 with 26 home runs and 92 RBIs. He did struggle against left-handed pitching, hitting .204/.284/.336 with five home runs. 

Casey McGehee spent the bulk of 2014 hitting behind Stanton in the four-hole for the Marlins but featured virtually no power, hitting four home runs and slugging .357 in 616 at-bats.