According to a source close to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Washington Nationals have offered free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche a two-year deal. The source added that getting a deal done “has been a slow process.”

Jen Royle of MASN reports that the negotiations are in the $8-9 million per year range.

LaRoche would like to get a three-year deal, but the Nationals are not willing to go a third year.

LaRoche is the best free agent first baseman on the market now that Derrek Lee has agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Phil Wood of MASN opines that a one-year deal is more attractive for the Nationals since they have first base options after the 2011 season.