602 replies to this topic

[SoxScout]

SportsCenter

Edited by SoxScout, 27 December 2012 - 03:56 PM.

[IpswichSox]

Nice, but please not at four years.

[SoxScout]

Edes and Bradford expect it to be a 3-year deal.

[glennhoffmania]

There's no word on the exact terms yet, other than the reported three-year contract length. Given he wasn't extended a qualifying offer, though, it's likely safe to assume the average annual value is below the $13.3 million threshold of those one-year deals.

Link

[SouthernBoSox]

Three year deal? AAV less that 13 mil?

Sign me up.

Edited by SouthernBoSox, 03 December 2012 - 11:03 AM.

[pjr]

Jen Royle‏@Jen_Royle
Mike Napoli not confirming Red Sox deal... Phil Rogers reports he has agreed to a three-year deal.

[dynomite]

Meh. A 31-year-old catcher/1B who hit .227 last season.

The appears price to be right, so it's clearly a decent signing, but I'm not doing handstands. He'll probably split time at C and 1B, but depending upon Lavarnway's progression could become the full-time 1B, right?

Edited by dynomite, 03 December 2012 - 11:09 AM.

[SoxScout]

Napoli is a career .273/.381/.529 vs LHP, last year he hit .179/.295/.411.

Bill James' Brock2 projection over '13-15: .254 BA, .352 OBP, 76 HR

Edited by SoxScout, 03 December 2012 - 11:30 AM.

[Hendu for Kutch]

At the very least we won't have to watch him slug 1.100 against us this year.

[SoxScout]

He'll probably split time at C and 1B, but depending upon Lavarnway's progression could become the full-time 1B, right?

We signed David Ross. I would think Napoli is our 1B for at least the next 2 years.

Edited by SoxScout, 03 December 2012 - 11:14 AM.

[Savin Hillbilly]

Excellent. Sounds like a good deal for a good hitter who has crushed at Fenway over his career (.306/.397/.710 in 73 PA).

I'll be very surprised if there's more than occasional C time in his mix--though he does provide some insurance if Lavarnway continues to struggle at the ML level. But the problem we needed to solve was first base, and he seems like a good fit for that job.

[Yaz4Ever]

Over the past three seasons at Fenway Park, Napoli has batted .366 getting on base at a clip of .438 and has an OPS of 1.292. It's only about 50 ABs, so a SSS but he does hit better here than most anywhere else. If he signed for an AAV of less than 13M and can play 1B and occasionally C, we could have done much worse. Now we can certainly trade one of Salty/Lavernway for additional help.

[bosox1025]

Heyman says 3/39.

[Greg29fan]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal
Napoli is three years, $39M with #redSox.

[Rasputin]

Heyman says 3/39.

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal
Napoli is three years, $39M with #redSox.

That's just about perfect. Long enough for some stability without being so long or big as to be a problem pretty much ever.

[SouthernBoSox]

That's just about perfect. Long enough for some stability without being so long or big as to be a problem pretty much ever.

This. The ceiling of Napoli is pretty high in this stadium, playing first base too. There isn't much to dislike about the deal. It's at the right price, at the right length, at the right position, and has no affect on long term future.

[Harry Hooper]

A Monday morning deal? Sounds like the ticket sales on Saturday were underwhelming.

[Drek717]

Meh. A 31-year-old catcher/1B who hit .227 last season.

The appears price to be right, so it's clearly a decent signing, but I'm not doing handstands. He'll probably split time at C and 1B, but depending upon Lavarnway's progression could become the full-time 1B, right?

I think the goal is for him to be the full time 1B and just backstop the possibility of Lavarnway failing to develop into a full time catcher. Napoli at 1B for 2013 and 2014, playing catcher as needed, and by 2015 Ortiz's deal will be up and Napoli can take over DH to keep him healthy for one last productive season with the bat.

Could be an interesting DH strategy, using it to float one last quality year on veteran FA signings. If they sign Hamilton or Swisher for RF I think there is a good chance we see Napoli at DH in 2015 and one of those RF signees at DH for 2016.

So when does the Saltalamacchia shoe drop? I can't imagine we're going to keep him, Lavarnway, Ross, and Napoli all on the 25 man roster. We can have Lavarnway spend another year in AAA if we have to, but this is probably Salty's high in terms of trade value in a pretty dry catching market.

Edited by Drek717, 03 December 2012 - 11:30 AM.

[meadow11]

Alright, so currently we're looking at something like.....

1. Jacoby (L)
2. Pedey ®
3. Middlebrooks ®
4. Oriz (L)
5. Napoli ®
6. Salty (S)
7. Gomes ®
8. Kalish (L)
9. Iglesias ®

I like the balance, better than the last couple years being so LH heavy. But still some work to be done.

Edited by meadow11, 03 December 2012 - 12:30 PM.

[foulkehampshire]

If healthy, Napoli could put up big numbers in this division.

Positional flexibility at C? Sounds like a pretty reasonable deal for me.

[BosRedSox5]

Is there some hard data to support a former catcher improving offensively by moving to an "easier" defensive position? It seems like a sensible enough assumption, but I wonder if the data supports it...

It's hard to say since many guys switch positions due to age and degrading abilities, but is there a precedent for a guy like Napoli who is only 31, flashes big power and is moving due to reasons other than age/ability erosion?

[Yaz4Ever]

Alright, so currently we're looking at something like.....

1. Jacoby (L)
2. Pedey ®
3. Middlebrooks ®
4. Oriz (L)
5. Napoli ®
6. Salty (S)
7. Gomez ®
8. Kalish (L)
9. Iglesias ®

I like the balance, better than the last couple years being so LH heavy. But still some work to be done.

Where is Ross? Where does Myers hit if we trade for him? I think Salty is gone within 48 hours.

[pjr]

John Heyman says the Red Sox are now talking to Nick Swisher .

[BosRedSox5]

Alright, so currently we're looking at something like.....

1. Jacoby (L)
2. Pedey ®
3. Middlebrooks ®
4. Oriz (L)
5. Napoli ®
6. Salty (S)
7. Gomez ®
8. Kalish (L)
9. Iglesias ®

I like the balance, better than the last couple years being so LH heavy. But still some work to be done.

I know you said "currently" but I hope we find a new RF instead of going with Kalish. Also, I'd be awfully surprised if Salty sticks around.

Where is Ross? Where does Myers hit if we trade for him? I think Salty is gone within 48 hours.

I thought the Myers-Lester talk was already dismissed... but, if we got him, he'd play RF right?

[Savin Hillbilly]

Alright, so currently we're looking at something like.....

1. Jacoby (L)
2. Pedey ®
3. Middlebrooks ®
4. Oriz (L)
5. Napoli ®
6. Salty (S) Gomes ® or Nava (S)
7. Gomez ® Lavarnway ®
8. Kalish (L)
9. Iglesias ®

I like the balance, better than the last couple years being so LH heavy. But still some work to be done.

Fixed (I hope). I will be really depressed if this deal doesn't mean that Gomez sees little or no time in a Red Sox uniform next year. I can't believe we signed Napoli to be anything but our primary first baseman.

Edited by Savin Hillbilly, 03 December 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[BosRedSox5]

John Heyman says the Red Sox are now talking to Nick Swisher .

Good, helps with the RH slant we have, and he's been one of the better RF's in the game for a while now. Swish has a .274/.366/.478/.844 slash line for the past 3 years and he could split time at 1B with Napoli. I think he'd be a nice fit. Get a more '04 type feel in this clubhouse.

[foulkehampshire]

Good, helps with the RH slant we have, and he's been one of the better RF's in the game for a while now. Swish has a .274/.366/.478/.844 slash line for the past 3 years and he could split time at 1B with Napoli. I think he'd be a nice fit. Get a more '04 type feel in this clubhouse.

Swisher in Fenway's RF is an adventure AT BEST. More of a LF/1B in any park besides NYY.

[nvalvo]

Gomez has options remaining, according to Sox Prospects. He's a pretty decent option as a backup bat stashed at AAA.

[Van Everyman]

So when does the Saltalamacchia shoe drop? I can't imagine we're going to keep him, Lavarnway, Ross, and Napoli all on the 25 man roster. We can have Lavarnway spend another year in AAA if we have to, but this is probably Salty's high in terms of trade value in a pretty dry catching market.

Do you consider soon a deal with the Yankees for Salty? I do. One, as noted the market is dry for catching and this is a position or strength for the Sox. Two, Salty has power -- but isn't exactly Jorge Posada back there (and his defense is perhaps a bit questionable). Three, yes, they're our "rivals" and will hit a few homers against us, but unless he blossoms into a player he hasn't been to date (he's 27, IIRC), the guy is unlikely to "come back and haunt us." Four, this is perhaps a down year for both ballclubs. Obviously it all hinges on what we're getting back but if you're ever going to do a deal with the Dev--, er, Yankees, now is the time.

[SaveBooFerriss]

Alright, so currently we're looking at something like.....

1. Jacoby (L)
2. Pedey ®
3. Middlebrooks ®
4. Oriz (L)
5. Napoli ®
6. Salty (S)
7. Gomez ®
8. Kalish (L)
9. Iglesias ®

I like the balance, better than the last couple years being so LH heavy. But still some work to be done.

I assume you mean Gomes, not Gomez. But, you could be talking about Mauro.

[Jed Zeppelin]

Swisher in Fenway's RF is an adventure AT BEST. More of a LF/1B in any park besides NYY.

I feel a bit queasy about Swisher in RF as well, but if the alternative is Cody Ross then I think Swisher is a no-brainer if the price is right.

[Savin Hillbilly]

I assume you mean Gomes, not Gomez. But, you could be talking about Mauro.

Aaaah, now it all makes sense. I wondered how you could have Gomez, Napoli and Salty all in the same lineup.

[OttoC]

Is there some hard data to support a former catcher improving offensively by moving to an "easier" defensive position? It seems like a sensible enough assumption, but I wonder if the data supports it...

It's hard to say since many guys switch positions due to age and degrading abilities, but is there a precedent for a guy like Napoli who is only 31, flashes big power and is moving due to reasons other than age/ability erosion?

Craig Biggio?

[BosRedSox5]

I feel a bit queasy about Swisher in RF as well, but if the alternative is Cody Ross then I think Swisher is a no-brainer if the price is right.

Right, I agree with Swisher being an issue defensively in that huge RF... A guy with Hamilton's skillset would be perfect for us. Lots of range, good enough defensively to manage in CF, good arm... but he's got a lot of baggage. I'd still get him if the price is right, but I can understand the reluctance. Swisher seems like a better fit for our team anyway, offensively and personality wise.

[SoxScout]

Right, I agree with Swisher being an issue defensively in that huge RF... A guy with Hamilton's skillset would be perfect for us. Lots of range, good enough defensively to manage in CF, good arm... but he's got a lot of baggage. I'd still get him if the price is right, but I can understand the reluctance. Swisher seems like a better fit for our team anyway, offensively and personality wise.

If we platoon Gomes and Kalish, Kalish could play right in Fenway a bunch. I'm also much more interested in Swisher than Ross.

[Trlicek's Whip]

Swisher in Fenway's RF is an adventure AT BEST. More of a LF/1B in any park besides NYY.

We did go into battle with Kevin Millar out there in the pre-Drew era, so while it's not encouraged that Swisher be given a RF glove it's not unprecedented.

[opes]

I love his numbers at Fenway. That will be nice with him playing half his games at home.

Below are the numbers:

http://www.baseball-...polmi01|bat|AB|

[foulkehampshire]

We did go into battle with Kevin Millar out there in the pre-Drew era, so while it's not encouraged that Swisher be given a RF glove it's not unprecedented.

The only reason he played RF was due to Trot Nixon's brittleness. It was a desperation move.

[pdaj]

Considering the FA market and the Sox needs, I love this deal at 3-years. He's a RH bat with power, has demonstrated above average OBP skills, and provides Boston with some flexibility at the C position. I'm hoping he can put up numbers in between his '11 and '12 seasons throughout the contract. If he can, it'll work out well here.

[OCD SS]

What AAV was he looking for on a 4 year deal an what was the premium to limit the length? I guess we have to assume that 4/40 wasn't an option, so the premium wasn't that much of a discount, and I think I prefer this contract to 4/44.

[rembrat]

Also sign me up for Nick Swisher on a good deal. That's a healthy OBA that has been desperately missed.

Starting to look like a fun bunch (that can play ball) again.

[Edelpeddle]

Seems like a reasonable deal. It probably bodes well for the rest of the offseason that we were able to sign our "number one target" so quickly.

[czar]

What AAV was he looking for on a 4 year deal an what was the premium to limit the length? I guess we have to assume that 4/40 wasn't an option, so the premium wasn't that much of a discount, and I think I prefer this contract to 4/44.

I think the Sox would have bit at 4/44. Saves you $2 mil/yr luxury tax with dice roll $11 mil in 2016. Essentially a $5m player option when you think about it.

He was almost certainly looking for 4/$48 or so.

Edited by czar, 03 December 2012 - 12:20 PM.

[OttoC]

Over the past three seasons at Fenway Park, Napoli has batted .366 getting on base at a clip of .438 and has an OPS of 1.292. It's only about 50 ABs, so a SSS but he does hit better here than most anywhere else. If he signed for an AAV of less than 13M and can play 1B and occasionally C, we could have done much worse. Now we can certainly trade one of Salty/Lavernway for additional help.

Small sample size? Napoli at Fenway Park: 44 total bases in 62 at bats; Napoli against Red Sox at his home parks: 43 total bases in 63 at bats. SLG at Fenway: 1.107; SLG at home parks vs. Red Sox: 1.044. That is what SSS does. A change of one AB and a change of 1 TB leads to a difference of 63 points in SLG in Napoli's case. I think the question is whether the bigger factor was batting against Red Sox pitchers.

Incidentally, Napoli put up even gaudier numbers at Yankee Stadium in 32 PA/24 AB.

[dynomite]

We signed David Ross. I would think Napoli is our 1B for at least the next 2 years.

We signed David Ross, but I think Salty is on his way out, and Lavarnway put up a .450 OPS in 150 ABs last season.

Lavarnway is the C of the future, but I wonder whether that future will begin in April 2013, or whether they'll break camp with a Napoli/Ross platoon at C and bring up Lavarnway when he's considered ready. (Obviously this could depend upon the additional moves made this offseason, the health of the parties involved, and potentially upon Training Camp performances of Lavarnway, Sands, Gomez and others)

[JMDurron]

Before we put too much stock into Napoli's numbers at Fenway in recent years, let's keep in mind that he put up those numbers against the 11th, 9th, and 12th "best" pitching staffs by RA from 2010-2012.

Napoli has a career 306/397/710 line at Fenway Park, but a 288/379/696 line overall against the Red Sox. Of his 38 career games against the Red Sox (19 at Fenway), 23 of those games (12 at Fenway) came against the 2010-2012 pitching staffs. During 2009, when Napoli had 6 games against the Red Sox (3rd in RA in 2009), he did manage a 1.120 OPS against, but despite that, I don't think it's reasonable to expect his career Fenway line during full time play in a Red Sox uniform. He won't get to feast on his own teammates.

EDIT - Otto beat me to it while I was looking up the numbers.

Edited by JMDurron, 03 December 2012 - 12:27 PM.

[someoneanywhere]

A Monday morning deal? Sounds like the ticket sales on Saturday were underwhelming.

Sounds to me like clearing the decks on the first day of the meetings to have some certainty about the next few days. There is something else coming.

No, it's not a reasonable deal -- not in the abstract. But it's exactly what to do when you have a bajillion dollars but want to get younger over the longer term and stay competitive in the shorter term.

[86spike]

Great move. Good length, the annual money is no problem for this organization. Cherrington is on a nice little roll since the Punto trade. Color me impressed.

[YTF]

I think the goal is for him to be the full time 1B and just backstop the possibility of Lavarnway failing to develop into a full time catcher. Napoli at 1B for 2013 and 2014, playing catcher as needed, and by 2015 Ortiz's deal will be up and Napoli can take over DH to keep him healthy for one last productive season with the bat.

Could be an interesting DH strategy, using it to float one last quality year on veteran FA signings. If they sign Hamilton or Swisher for RF I think there is a good chance we see Napoli at DH in 2015 and one of those RF signees at DH for 2016.

So when does the Saltalamacchia shoe drop? I can't imagine we're going to keep him, Lavarnway, Ross, and Napoli all on the 25 man roster. We can have Lavarnway spend another year in AAA if we have to, but this is probably Salty's high in terms of trade value in a pretty dry catching market.

Has to be soon, VERY soon. There's a need for catchers and while taking two of the better options off the market, the Sox now sit with 4 guys that can play the position. Seems to me that Salty would be the odd man out given someone's GOT to go and in a depleted market, dealing from a position of power the Sox should be able to find a trading based on someone's need and the power he exhibited last year. Yeah, a lot of downside to Salty's game last year on both sides of the plate, but concerning the position I think it's a seller's market and he's not going to bust someone's payroll. He's affordable and I think that just adds one more card to the hand the Sox are holding. I'm hoping him to be a PART of a bigger deal that's going to bring back a solid outfielder and reliever.

[Rudy Pemberton]

This strikes me as a fantastic deal- Napoli is a really good player, better than people realize. Only having to go three years strikes me as a huge coup. Land Swisher and a pitcher and I think we're back in business. Back on the bandwagon!