Lot of chatter in the 2015 Sox thread about moving Nap. Thought it's an interesting enough idea that it warrants it own topic. I've certainly seen it suggested (by Dave Cameron at least) that the Sox could get by with a Craig/Nava platoon.
Would you, could you trade Mike Napoli?
- Thread starter MakMan44
- Start date
I'm not averse to the concept, because Napoli may be attractive to teams seeking some power - same argument as why Cespedes is attractive to some degree. A lot would depend on Craig being back to some kind of form with the bat - if the front office thinks that they've figured Craig out over the winter, then certainly Napoli becomes to some degree expendable. But that's a hefty risk to take, given Craig's situation with the bat at the end of 2014.
However, if Napoli is more attractive to trade partners than Cespedes, then he's certainly available as part of the discussion. The other way to solve 1B if he is traded and Cespedes stays is to ask Hanley to learn 1B for a year. Or to see if Cespedes can handle a 1B mitt - terrifying thought I expect. Probably too much to ask in terms of shuffling pieces around the diamond and unlikely to be great news for the defense, but all options need to be on the table - especially if there's a pitcher of some quality that Napoli will bring back in a trade. My guess would be that the front office have Napoli on their "will trade for the right piece" list, but they're not actively shopping him.
However, if Napoli is more attractive to trade partners than Cespedes, then he's certainly available as part of the discussion. The other way to solve 1B if he is traded and Cespedes stays is to ask Hanley to learn 1B for a year. Or to see if Cespedes can handle a 1B mitt - terrifying thought I expect. Probably too much to ask in terms of shuffling pieces around the diamond and unlikely to be great news for the defense, but all options need to be on the table - especially if there's a pitcher of some quality that Napoli will bring back in a trade. My guess would be that the front office have Napoli on their "will trade for the right piece" list, but they're not actively shopping him.
I would be for moving Napoli for the right deal. However, I too have same thoughts as Rudy. Don't forget the signed him original deal, then strong-armed him to take less money after the FA period was basically over. Then he takes less money to come back. Then if they trade him....oof. But, the business of baseball seems to suggest you should consider it.
I'll be honest, I don't see the point in spending a bunch of money in order to then trade one of their more reliable players. Sure, he will miss 30-40 games most likely, but he'll give the good first base defense and an wOBA over .350 pretty reliably. That's nothing to just toss in the gutter hoping that Craig and Nava figure themselves out. Of course, if they get a great offer for him, then ok, but I would hope it would be an offer that helps the 2015 major league team.
I'd feel differently if it weren't for all of the other spending. Then I would say the best way for them to extract value is likely to find the best trade partner for Napoli to get something for him, then see if Craig can hit and recover his own value. But if you are putting all of this money into contracts, why add question marks to the 2015 team.
I still really hate the acquisition of Craig. Hope I'm as wrong about that as I was about Victorino two years ago.
I'd feel differently if it weren't for all of the other spending. Then I would say the best way for them to extract value is likely to find the best trade partner for Napoli to get something for him, then see if Craig can hit and recover his own value. But if you are putting all of this money into contracts, why add question marks to the 2015 team.
I still really hate the acquisition of Craig. Hope I'm as wrong about that as I was about Victorino two years ago.
They seem to be placing a higher value on guys who can, and more importantly will, play multiple positions. I can absolutely see them dealing Napoli if they right package can be returned.
It would not be my preferred option for a number of reasons. (1) It would result in keeping Cespedes, which would likely limit Mookie's playing time. (2) The Sox would be reliant on Craig putting up 500 or so ABs and producing at a reasonable level, assuming it would not be a strict handed platoon and Craig is the primary 1B with Nava mixing in starts at 1B and LF. Replacing the black hole at 3B with a black hole at 1B isn't a risk I'm willing to take. (3) The Sox have limited 1B depth and an injury to either results in Shaw getting a number of ABs or the Sox potentially moving Hanley out of LF. (4) If Napoli is traded it likely means that Cespedes is kept and he is playing CF or RF, which frightens me as his defense in LF last year was putrid.
I would trade Napoli in three situations, however.
(1) A deal for Napoli is substantially better than a deal for Cespedes in terms of both acquisition cost (i.e., prospects) and return. For example, if Napoli plus a mid-tier prospect(s) (e.g., Garin, Deven, Webster) gets me an Ace (e.g., Cueto), and deal around Cespedes doesn't exist or would require a blue chip prospect (e.g., Betts, Xander, Owens, Swihart, Rodriguez, Devers, Margot), I'd trade Mike in a cocaine heart beat. Conversely, if Cespedes plus two mid-tier prospects or Napoli and one mid-tier prospect gets a #2/3 pitcher (e.g., Latos, Ross), I'd send Cespedes and the two mid-tier guys just as quickly.
(2) Midseason, in limited ABs Craig has demonstrated he can hit again and the Sox are either in contention and looking for a piece and a deal around Napoli can help the Sox obtain that piece for a playoff run.
(3) The Sox are out of contention and looking for cost-controlled assets.
I would trade Napoli in three situations, however.
(1) A deal for Napoli is substantially better than a deal for Cespedes in terms of both acquisition cost (i.e., prospects) and return. For example, if Napoli plus a mid-tier prospect(s) (e.g., Garin, Deven, Webster) gets me an Ace (e.g., Cueto), and deal around Cespedes doesn't exist or would require a blue chip prospect (e.g., Betts, Xander, Owens, Swihart, Rodriguez, Devers, Margot), I'd trade Mike in a cocaine heart beat. Conversely, if Cespedes plus two mid-tier prospects or Napoli and one mid-tier prospect gets a #2/3 pitcher (e.g., Latos, Ross), I'd send Cespedes and the two mid-tier guys just as quickly.
(2) Midseason, in limited ABs Craig has demonstrated he can hit again and the Sox are either in contention and looking for a piece and a deal around Napoli can help the Sox obtain that piece for a playoff run.
(3) The Sox are out of contention and looking for cost-controlled assets.
Anything for the right pitcher I suppose. It would have to be an either/or with Cespedes though right? Otherwise it would go against Ben's plan of having bats in our current dead ball era Renaissance.
A bit different because he has proven he can hit at the highest level but doesn't running Craig out there seem like the type of dice rolling that got us in trouble last year?
In a vacuum I would rather it be Cespedes that goes.
A bit different because he has proven he can hit at the highest level but doesn't running Craig out there seem like the type of dice rolling that got us in trouble last year?
In a vacuum I would rather it be Cespedes that goes.
Murby said:
Don't forget, he was initially going to sign a 3/$39 offer for 2013-2015, but then the hip thing came into play and he was signed at $5, plus potential for $8 more which I believe he received and then resigned for 2/$32, giving him essentially 3/45 contract, which worked out better.
So I don't think he was "strong-armed" into taking that offer.
He was a free agent and didn't have to come back after the 2013 World Series win.
But, I'd hate to see him traded. I guess if they can get a decent middle of the rotation starting pitcher for him now, they definitely should check into it, but personally I would like to keep him.
santadevil said:
You could probably get that for Cespedes, who is both a worse hitter and more redundant defensively. Or you could just give Masterson/Liriano/Santana some money and keep Napoli. I don't think a decent 3/4 pitcher is what the Red Sox should invest in right now. Especially not if that means trading Napoli away.
Sure. If the right package comes along then anyone is available. Napoli is a good bat but he isn't a better player than Cespedes. He is however very streaky and clutch which evens things out a bit. Cespedes and Napoli would however have equal value on the market right now since if Napoli is acquired before the start of the year he would be eligible for the QO. Cespedes obviously is ineligible for that honor. I would rather keep Napoli than trade him as the teammate thing really wins out overall. That's a guy who I want to see end his career here.67WasBest said:
We've got a 3 win player at $16 million who saves some runs with his glove at his non-premium position. This is a nice stable situation, but it's hard to imagine another team overpaying for that in a way that justifies getting rid of the stability. It also seems kind of indirect. Trading a 1B to solve an outfield glut also seems pretty indirect. If that's the only way we can do it, so be it, but it shouldn't be plan A.
I certainly wasn't suggesting it as an alternative to solving the OF glut, rather that we could bolster the rotation by trading Napoli and replace him with a Craig/Nava platoon. So this would be on top of a Cepsedes trade, not instead of. But that's just how I'm framing it.
Teams that could use upgrades at 1B/DH
-Houston
-Royals - (DH to replace Willingham)
-Mariners (DH)
-Jays
-Marlins
-Phillies
-Padres
The Mariners and Royals seem like the best fits as teams that are in GFIN mode. Obviously the price tag is outside of the Royals norm. The Marlins are the only other possible suitor I see.
-Houston
-Royals - (DH to replace Willingham)
-Mariners (DH)
-Jays
-Marlins
-Phillies
-Padres
The Mariners and Royals seem like the best fits as teams that are in GFIN mode. Obviously the price tag is outside of the Royals norm. The Marlins are the only other possible suitor I see.
MakMan44 said:
This isn't a bad idea in a vacuum, but I have a hard time feeling good about a plan that guarantees Allen Craig a lot of ABs. I just have no idea what he is right now.
I share the concern about depending on Craig. Not as down as many, but we should not have any question marks at the end of this process. I'm more inclined to see Hanley at 1B should Napoli be dealt, with Cespedes, Castillo Betts across the outfield. If tehy deal both Cespedes and Napoli, then Hanley ayt 1B, Victorino in the OF, with Craig/Nava as a fallback and Brentz/Nava as a deeper fallback.rodderick said:
Well, he still managed an .693 OPS and 92 wRC+ against LHP last year. That's not great but I think it's enough that if he can at least match, a platoon with Nava is manageable if the upgrade to the rotation is significant.rodderick said:
This isn't how New England females, including 1 SoSHer in particular, want the shirt taken off his back.
I feel like we could use another LH bat in the linup. A trade of Nap would open up Nava against righties. I can still picture Nap strolling around Boston shirtless, it would be a sad day, but I can see it for the right return.
Regarding positional flexibility mentioned above could Napoli be our backup catcher once a week...or has that s(hip) sailed?
They didn't contemplate it in an emergency situation last year, so I think that unlikely.Reggie's Racquet said:
MakMan44 said:
That's pretty terrible coming from part of your first base platoon. I certainly want no part of Craig if that's going to be his line against LHP. As much as I have been anti-Middlebrooks for quite a long time, he's probably going to beat that line vs. LHP. He's at a .758 OPS and a 102 wRC+ for his career against lefties.
I don't think you trade Napoli unless for some reason another team values him way more than I think they should. On a one year deal, he's solid value for the Red Sox, at a non-redundant position. Cespedes has to be the one to go, and fortunately it seems as like there are a lot of teams interested.
Good suggestion on Middlebrooks.radsoxfan said:
My ideal scenario from trading both (just to get it out there) is Napoli to the M's for Iwakuma and Cepedes to the Reds for Latos. I think the upgrade to the rotation in that case is big enough that you can handle the platoon at 1st.
MakMan44 said:
To be clear, more than advocating Middlebrooks, I'm pointing out how terrible that line Craig line would be from a 1st baseman on the good side of his platoon. Middlebrooks would also be a pretty bad fallback plan in my opinion. Napoli put up a .939 OPS and a 162 wRC+ against lefties last year, while still being a better than league average hitter versus righties.
In the right deal Napoli should be considered, I just think he has a lot of value to the Red Sox next year because the Nava/Craig platoon has the potential to be pretty terrible. I like Nava as a nice fill-in guy on the bench at OF and backing up 1B, but getting 70% of our ABs at 1B? No thanks.
Certainly if another team gives you silly value for Nap, it could be worth it. But the obvious right handed bat to go given the current roster construction, and how much they are likely to get in return, is Cespedes. Napoli would be pretty far down on my "look to trade for pitching" list if I was Ben.
MakMan44 said:
I'm with you. I would trade both Cespedes and Napoli if they want to shed some salary to bring back (and overpay) Lester. As Jasail pointed out, they would still have this depth:
[SIZE=12.7272720336914px]Ramirez (LF) - Castillo (OF) - Betts (OF);[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12.7272720336914px]Victorino (OF) -Nava (LF) - Holt (OF) -Craig (LF)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12.7272720336914px]JBJ (OF) - Brentz (LF). [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12.7272720336914px]Their willingness to trade both will mainly depend on their accurate assessment about whether Craig's 2014 season was an injury influenced aberration. If Craig's comeback is more likely than we realize, then they won't lose much in terms of offensive production. The interesting question will be whether Hanley is their full time 1B or LF. Whichever position Hanley doesn't claim will most likely be filled with a Craig/Nava platoon. Craig might be more of a regular (with Nava more of a reserve) if he fully comes back.[/SIZE]
Again, I would trade both if they can bring back Lester. Why should they go above the luxury tax, although they could, before the team plays a single game in 2015? If they contend, they won't have any qualms going over this limit down the stretch run. If they don't, they won't sacrifice any of their treasured roster and financial flexibility. Napoli is an injury risk. Cespedes is an attitude risk. Hanley, despite his attitude risk, at least genuinely seems to want to be with the team. Craig, despite his injury risk, would actually be more cost effective assuming that his proven previous production returns. Holt and Nava are backups (not starters) for a contender. Victorino is an injury risk. Castillo, Betts, JBJ and Brentz remain unproven. These are all risks that are probably worth taking next season with Cespedes and Napoli moving on.
Kennedy and Latos or comparable pitchers might be an adequate return for Napoli and Cespedes. This would completely fill out the rotation if Lester returns. The main disadvantage will be, to start the season, they will stall their depth of on the cusp starters at AAA. On the other hand, converting some of those pitchers to decent bullpen arms might bolster their confidence and ease their transition to the majors if they can pitch more consistently and successfully in shorter outings. They would still be available as 6th, 7th, etc. starters depth to stretch out if the need arises while effectively limiting total innings pitched for these young arms (still under age 25).
Middlebrooks might be a comparable 1B platoon player to Craig (though nobody wants to gamble based on what they did for the Sox lately). His positional flexibility would be as 3B backup depth while Craig can play in the outfield.
I don't think it's some great need either but we're talking about something like 200 PAs over the course of the season. Napoli himself had only 140 (should go up next season but not a great deal.) If the right deal comes along, I think the upgrade to the rotation over the course of the season is worth the downgrade in those PAs.radsoxfan said:
EDIT: Actually, when I think about it, this is a pretty obvious point. The better question is contained within the bolded.
Ahh, gotcha. Maybe as part of a package? I think it seems like a tough sell. What I'm thinking is that Nap plays a position that's not that difficult to fill and bats from the more common side of the plate. I know right handed power is thought to be in short supply, but I think teams will likely view Nap as a three win player. Let's say you put a premium on wins coming from a short-term contract, and also there is upside value in possibly being able to use a QO on Nap if he has a good year to get a draft pick or leverage to resign. Even with all that, maybe we say $8 million a win. 8.5? That's stll just about $8m of value more than his contract. It's just hard to imagine a rational trading partner giving up something worth more than we already have.MakMan44 said:
Who would we be trying to bring back that we could get by trading Napoli but could not get by trading Cespedes and some fungible prospects?
Seems like there's no compelling reason to "get rid of" Napoli -- great contract, great fit with the team, no one pushing him off his position, etc.
So the only reason to even consider it would be if there were somebody we wanted who couldn't be acquired with Cespedes-plus but could be acquired with Napoli-plus. Having a hard time imagining who that could be.
Seems like there's no compelling reason to "get rid of" Napoli -- great contract, great fit with the team, no one pushing him off his position, etc.
So the only reason to even consider it would be if there were somebody we wanted who couldn't be acquired with Cespedes-plus but could be acquired with Napoli-plus. Having a hard time imagining who that could be.
In that case and if this were a poll I say nay. I expect big things from the beard this year and I think we can get enough pitching without losing nap.
I wouldn't trade Nap. He takes pitches, still has power (granted if he's healthy), and is a very underrated defensive 1B.
Also, great beard, clubhouse presence.
Also, great beard, clubhouse presence.
Cespedes is the guy to trade for various reasons.
-We have a surplus of OF's
-He's going to be in line for a big deal after next season, I don't want to be the team offering it
-Napoli is a more important clubhouse presence
-Napoli can still hit and get on base quite well, plus underrated defense
-I want more of a chance for Mookie Betts to have a consistent role next season
-Supposedly Cespedes is hard to coach. Even if the report is untrue I have to wonder why it came out
-Trading Napoli puts more pressure on Craig to start at 1B, I'd rather he ease into the role if he's back to normal
Maybe some other reasons I can't remember at the moment.
-We have a surplus of OF's
-He's going to be in line for a big deal after next season, I don't want to be the team offering it
-Napoli is a more important clubhouse presence
-Napoli can still hit and get on base quite well, plus underrated defense
-I want more of a chance for Mookie Betts to have a consistent role next season
-Supposedly Cespedes is hard to coach. Even if the report is untrue I have to wonder why it came out
-Trading Napoli puts more pressure on Craig to start at 1B, I'd rather he ease into the role if he's back to normal
Maybe some other reasons I can't remember at the moment.
If Naps has a good year, offer up a Q.O. and bring him back next year on another 1-year deal or get a supp pick. Sox like that type of flexibility.
MakMan44 said:
Unless we hear about a massive difference in pitching return for Napoli/Cespedes/prospects vs. just Cespedes/prospects, Nap should stay.
His offensive value is much more than just 150-200 PA against LHP. He's just a good hitter in general. I wouldn't trivialize his offensive contribution, clubhouse presence, and value at 1B. He's not close to replaceable unless the FO has reason to expect a huge bounce back from Craig. Possible, but no reason to put all our eggs in that basket.
Napoli as the primary first baseman, but Nava getting 35-40 starts against right handlers would be a potentially monstrous combined line. I agree with those who say trading Cespedes makes a lot more sense.
Of course, not signing Sandoval and avoiding this "problem" would have been even better.
Of course, not signing Sandoval and avoiding this "problem" would have been even better.
I'll start by posting what I think the opening day lineup should be.
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Rusney Castillo, CF
Christian Vazquez, C
That lineup features an above average defender at every position except maybe SS and LF. Additionally, every player in that lineup should post above average offensive production for their position, aside from possibly Vazquez.
In my mind, none of those players should be moved unless you've exhausted trade options for guys like Cespedes, Victorino (who I'd rather keep around), Nava Craig, Bradley Jr., Webster, Ranaudo, Workman... and so on. We have plenty of depth to deal from without creating new holes in the starting lineup.
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Rusney Castillo, CF
Christian Vazquez, C
That lineup features an above average defender at every position except maybe SS and LF. Additionally, every player in that lineup should post above average offensive production for their position, aside from possibly Vazquez.
In my mind, none of those players should be moved unless you've exhausted trade options for guys like Cespedes, Victorino (who I'd rather keep around), Nava Craig, Bradley Jr., Webster, Ranaudo, Workman... and so on. We have plenty of depth to deal from without creating new holes in the starting lineup.
One reason to trade Napoli IMO is as a salary dump in the event the Red Sox want to acquire both Lester and Hamels, or two such pitchers.
Another might be if they think Hanley is better suited to play 1B than LF.
I doubt the return is much on a Napoli trade since his salary pretty much wipes out his surplus value.
Another might be if they think Hanley is better suited to play 1B than LF.
I doubt the return is much on a Napoli trade since his salary pretty much wipes out his surplus value.
I real like keeping Napoli here for his defense and club house presence but the trade scenario suggested actually makes a great deal of sense. I'm a little unsure of Craig but willing to give him a chance with Nava platooning with him. The Middlebrooks to 1B is interesting. If the Sox could get Iwakuma & Latos I could live with the trade.MakMan44 said:
The second part of the thread title is could you trade Mike Napoli. I think the answer to that is not for a while.
He is 3 weeks removed from major facial surgery and on a liquid diet for a month or more. I can't see anyone trading for Napoli until he shows he is able to resume full baseball activities and can do so at his usual level of strength, which probably means sometime during or after Spring training.
He is 3 weeks removed from major facial surgery and on a liquid diet for a month or more. I can't see anyone trading for Napoli until he shows he is able to resume full baseball activities and can do so at his usual level of strength, which probably means sometime during or after Spring training.
They've all but said they're OK with blowing past the luxury tax number for one year, and Napoli has one year left, so I don't think they trade him for salary reasons.Sampo Gida said:
Edit: Should have said --- they've said they're OK with going past the tax threshold, and all but said they will go past it for 2015...
The Red Sox have gone over the luxury tax threshold several times in the past. They were over in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011. The most they've ever paid in luxury tax was around $6M, however.
I can't see the Sox going over by any significant amount for multiple seasons in a row, as it starts to get stupid expensive.
In a sense, nobody is untouchable, sure. But...
I like this lineup, and I think it will score a lot of runs. But at the same time, I don't think it's crazy to point out that there are some question marks in that lineup. Betts and Castillo were impressive last year, but will they sustain that performance over the course of a full year? Bogaerts looked great in May and September, but he looked awful in June and July. Which one is the real Xander? Pedroia just had a career-worst season. The new guys might take to Fenway and the Boston environment immediately, or they might scuffle out of the gate and start pressing (a la Carl Crawford), Christian Vazquez's bat has been considered a bonus since day one. David Ortiz can't keep doing this forever. Can he?
Looking at the rest of the roster reveals more questions - can Victorino come back from a lost season? Can Craig rebound? Can Bradley rediscover what made him so successful in the minors? Is Middlebrooks a lost cause? Some of these people won't be there, but hopefully the point is clear.
My point is not to shit on the 2015 Red Sox, but rather to say that Napoli is one of few guys from whom we know what to expect: 20ish homers, 350ish OBP, healthy number of Ks but also a good number of walks, 30-40 games missed, and excellent defense at first (a non-premium position, but still.) For that reason, I wouldn't trade him in any realistic scenario.
Hank Scorpio said:
I like this lineup, and I think it will score a lot of runs. But at the same time, I don't think it's crazy to point out that there are some question marks in that lineup. Betts and Castillo were impressive last year, but will they sustain that performance over the course of a full year? Bogaerts looked great in May and September, but he looked awful in June and July. Which one is the real Xander? Pedroia just had a career-worst season. The new guys might take to Fenway and the Boston environment immediately, or they might scuffle out of the gate and start pressing (a la Carl Crawford), Christian Vazquez's bat has been considered a bonus since day one. David Ortiz can't keep doing this forever. Can he?
Looking at the rest of the roster reveals more questions - can Victorino come back from a lost season? Can Craig rebound? Can Bradley rediscover what made him so successful in the minors? Is Middlebrooks a lost cause? Some of these people won't be there, but hopefully the point is clear.
My point is not to shit on the 2015 Red Sox, but rather to say that Napoli is one of few guys from whom we know what to expect: 20ish homers, 350ish OBP, healthy number of Ks but also a good number of walks, 30-40 games missed, and excellent defense at first (a non-premium position, but still.) For that reason, I wouldn't trade him in any realistic scenario.
I think the chatter around Napoli stems only from other teams needing to plug their own holes at 1B and there being a dearth of options now that Laroche is off the board. Napoli, being a high OBP, high SLG 1Bman who plays good defense on a short contract is clearly more desireble than Craig (who is basically Mike Lowell c. 2005, value wise) so pundits for other teams will come up with deals to land him at below market cost (like Dave Cameron's recent article).
The Sox are clearly making a big push in for 2015, and they have no reason to move Napoli. They can play through the year with him and make a QO to bring him back. They don't even need to move Craig, who hey can stash in AAA as "deep depth" and see if he regains some value.
The Sox are clearly making a big push in for 2015, and they have no reason to move Napoli. They can play through the year with him and make a QO to bring him back. They don't even need to move Craig, who hey can stash in AAA as "deep depth" and see if he regains some value.
OCD SS said:
What if for financial reasons, to limit how far above the luxury tax they will go, it's a choice between Napoli and Lester? Do you keep Napoli to maximize your flexibility or sign Lester for 6 years? Making such choices is truly what distinguishes the Sox from the Yankees. I don't see them signing Lester to what he will require without trimming some salary somewhere else on the roster.
Very unlikely that it matters whether the payroll is $190M or $250M next season, as long as enough salary is off the books by 2016 or 2017 in order to reset the luxury tax. If Napoli had another year or two in his deal after 2015, then it would make. More sense to move him for financial reasons.The Boomer said:
Napoli's ability to put up competitive ABs is a very valuable asset. he can be the key to a really relentless lineup. whoever bats behind Nap will see a lot of fatigued pitches.With the increased use of shifts above average defense at first base is really the key to the effectiveness of the shift. Plus he won't have a compromised finger in 2015.
This guy is a bargain and should be kept.
This guy is a bargain and should be kept.