I’m an unabashed lover of LaRoches. I consider myself to be one of the very first Pirates fans to view Adam LaRoche as Lefty McThump, the much-needed power-hitting first baseman (or outfielder) for the 2007 team. That goes back to five games between the Braves and Bucs in August of 2006, a time when a 26-year-old slugger seemed destined for stardom.

The transition from good to great never happened, and while he’s performing well in the desert for the Diamondbacks in 2010, it’s likely that Adam LaRoche peaked four years ago.

It’s from that perspective that I consider baby brother Andy. Fool me once, shame on me …

But I firmly believe that it’s in the Pirates’ best interests to keep Andy LaRoche as their third baseman for the foreseeable future. By September, you’ll agree with me.

Adam’s time in Pittsburgh was a roller coaster ride, and Andy’s start in black and gold was just as disconcerting. He was billed as a top prospect at a position of need. He arrived as the face of the franchise, Jason Bay, was leaving. And then he hit .152/.227.232 in his first 183 plate appearances.

We hoped at 25 that Andy’s 2009 would be a breakout year. He won the starting job at the hot corner out of spring training. In May, he appeared to be the real deal — .330/.411/.457 in 28 games — but he came crashing down over the course of the summer, bottoming out at a .688 OPS on September 1. He was hitting just .244.

But suddenly, something clicked. He began to hit for contact and for power. He walked. He drove in runs. And by the end of the month, he’d raised his line to .258/.330/.401, good for an OPS+ of 95. Just a tick below average.

On Twitter and here at Titletahn, I’ve often compared Andy LaRoche to Mike Lowell. Two players cast in the same mold: solid defense and on-base skills, enough power to fit the needs of the position, a complementary player on a championship-caliber team. (And as a useless stat of the day: their age-25 seasons were eerily similar.)

Lowell broke out at 26, and — risking being a jinx — LaRoche is breaking out, too. Just 19 games into 2010, I’m ready to commit to Andy at third for the long term. I don’t think he’s going to be a perennial All-Star. But I do expect .280/.340/.460 with 20 homers, 80 ribbies and defensive value into his early 30s.

I tweeted as much last night, and the response was mixed. Most notably, I ran into disagreement with Rocco DeMaro, the esteemed host of Pirates Extra Innings. Our potential lineups for 2011 contain the same nine players, but at different positions.

Rocco is the most forward-thinking member of the media covering the Pirates. He understands the value of scouting and statistics. But I’m fairly certain he’s wrong.

In Rocco’s starting nine, four players wind up at suboptimal positions: Walker in right, Jones at first, LaRoche at second and Alvarez at third.

Jones has played first base throughout his minor-league career, yet in the majors, the advanced defensive metrics (in small samples) consider his defense in right to be stronger than his defense at first.

Walker is learning second base, first base and corner outfield in the minors, and he could fit in right field in Pittsburgh now, I’d imagine. He’s athletic. But given that he’s in Indianapolis and working around the diamond, it would only make sense to have him be the one learning the toughest position. If you’re converting a third baseman to the keystone, make it be the one who has the best environment and opportunity for growth. Start playing Walker at second full-time, like Alan and I suggested entering 2009.

Finally, it comes to Pedro Alvarez. While I do agree with the sentiment that a team shouldn’t intentionally devalue its own assets, I also believe that nothing is more important than ending a streak of losing seasons that’s nearing two decades. The Pirates can finally turn the corner and be competitive. Maybe the playoffs aren’t in the cards in 2011, or even 2012. But meaningful games can be played beyond the trading deadline.

Alvarez can stick at third base, and he’d likely acquit himself well. But as he matures, it seems inevitable that he’ll move to first. It’s a matter of when, according to every scouting report. I envision a Jim Thome-like existence for him, which I’m sure Pirates fans would accept. I don’t enjoy hastening Alvarez’s move down the defensive spectrum, but it’s the best fit for this team going forward.

Andy LaRoche can play a quality defensive third base. I’m assuming he’s the stronger player in the field by a measurable margin. If that’s the case, then when Alvarez moves to first and, presumably, picks it up satisfactorily — you have strong defenders at both corners.

With Jones feeling more comfortable in right, and with Walker having all of 2010 and winter ball to learn second, the Pirates would be optimizing their lineup.

Ryan Ludwick in right. Dan Uggla at second. Jim Thome at first, and Mike Lowell at third. Add in Yadier Molina behind the plate, Marquis Grissom in center and Bernie Williams in left, and all you need is the shortstop and pitching staff.