Report: Marlins offer free-agent Adam LaRoche 2-year, $20-million contract

The Miami Marlins are reportedly wasting no time in acquiring talent to build around superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

Miami has extended a two-year, $20-million offer to free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

News of the offer comes just hours after the Marlins officially announced Stanton's 13-year, $325-million contract.

LaRoche hit the open market as one of the more productive power bats available this offseason.

The 35-year-old veteran hit .249/.341/.441 across parts of four seasons with the Washington Nationals, averaging 20 homers a year during that span. Although LaRoche struggles to hit lefties (.620 OPS in 2014), his presence in Miami's lineup would represent a marked improvement over incumbent starting first baseman Garrett Jones.

Stanton's back-loaded contract calls for just $15.5 million in salary over the next two seasons, clearing space for the Marlins to pursue significant upgrades to their roster.

The Herald report also notes the Marlins are expressing interest in several free-agent pitchers, including Jason Hammel and Justin Masterson.