Red Sox trade for Pirates first baseman LaRoche

Pittsburgh Pirates Adam Laroche hits an RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning of their MLB game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania September 26, 2007.

BOSTON (Reuters) - The slumping Boston Red Sox added some depth to their roster on Wednesday by trading two minor league prospects to the Pittsburgh Pirates for power-hitting first baseman Adam LaRoche.

The Red Sox, whose four-game losing streak has allowed the New York Yankees to overtake them for first place in AL East, sent shortstop Argenis Diaz and right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland to the Pirates.

Left-handed hitter LaRoche is batting .247 with 12 homers and 40 runs batted in as a starter for Pittsburgh but figures to see spot duty for Boston unless there are further changes.

The addition of LaRoche allows Boston manager Terry Francona to rest Mike Lowell, who is coming off hip surgery, by moving regular first baseman Kevin Youkilis to third.

Lowell was activated from the disabled list on July 17 following a 19-day rest. The veteran third baseman is hitting .289 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs in 72 games.

LaRoche, 29, is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

(Writing by Larry Fine in New York, Editing by Justin Palmer