Nationals rumors: Adam LaRoche talks ongoing

Talks between the Washington Nationals and free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche have been going on for what seems like forever, and the two sides are still inching towards an agreement, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com:

There has been "a little bit of progress" made between free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche and the Nationals in the last week, according to a baseball source familiar with the negotiations...

The source also said the Nationals have not put a deadline on LaRoche as far as taking the deal off the table.

It was reported over the weekend that the club is close setting a sort of ultimatum for their dealings with the 33-year-old, but Ladson's source seems to indicate that is not the case.

The sticking point in negotiations continues to be the years the Nationals are willing to offer the veteran first baseman. LaRoche really wants a three-year deal but Nats' general manager Mike Rizzo seems to be unwilling to budge from his normal routine of guaranteeing no more than two years to any free agent not named Jayson Werth.

The Nationals could try to bridge the gap by offering LaRoche a third year as a club or vesting option, but it is unclear whether LaRoche would acquiesce to that.

The Orioles, Red Sox and Rangers have also shown interest in the lefty slugger, but have largely been hesitant in their pursuit because LaRoche would cost them all a high draft pick if signed. The Nats made LaRoche a