127 replies to this topic

[alwyn96]

Think Dan Johnson is a good choice, he is actually a better more powerful hitter than Casey Kotchman and both played for Joe Maddon who seems to be able to get the most out of players. I think either Johnson or Kotchman is a nice fit for the Red Sox. Not quite certain why some fans did not like what little we saw of Mauro Gomez, although Gomez and Ciriaco are 2 of the only players brought in by Bobby V who impressed.

respectully submitted,

rglenmt f/k/a pudgefick

I wasn't thrilled about Gomez' 99 OPS+ or Ciriaco's 88 OPS+, and neither guy projects to do much better than that in the future. Ciriaco in particular doesn't look promising. I don't think that's impressive. I mean, Ciriaco is impressive in a sense, but not in the sense of wanting him as a starter on your baseball team.

Edited by alwyn96, 15 January 2013 - 12:10 AM.

[alwyn96]

All you have to do is google it. According to B-Ref, he had a 1.7 WAR last year and the Rangers would not make a qualifying offer for 1 yr of Napoli at 13.3 million. The Red Sox needs at 1B were compelling enough that overpaying by 20% or so for 3 years was not a big deal, and the tax threshold was was not an issue this year so many Red Sox fans did not dwell on it.


Me? I am happy to have Napoli at 1B for 3 years if he is healthy. He can probably DH in the 3rd year if Papi is gone, or platoon with him at DH if Papi slips against LHP'ers in his decline.

I can't believe I'm still going on about this, but how are you googling it?

Mike Napoli overpaid - 60,400 results
Mike Napoli fairly paid - 254,000 results
Mike Napoli good deal - 1,040,000 results
Mike Napoli incredibly cheap - 4,460,000 results
Mike Napoli awesome deal - 5,040,000 results
Mike Napoli best deal in the history of everything - 2,180,000 results
Mike Napoli beef taco - 20,900 results
Mike Napoli bikini photo shoot - 355,000 results
Mike Napoli pierogi warrior - 2,490 results
Mike Napoli hip made of cottage cheese - 5,540 results

I'm out of ideas. I am concerned about the large number of bikini photo shoot results, however.

Edited by alwyn96, 14 January 2013 - 08:45 PM.

[BeantownIdaho]

Napoli @ 1 year = need a first basemen next year
Morse @ 1 year = need a first basemen next year

2014 class with age
Todd Helton (40)
Eric Hinske (36)
Paul Konerko (38)
James Loney (30)
Kendrys Morales (30)
Justin Morneau (33)
Mike Morse (32)
Carlos Pena (36)
Mark Reynolds (30)
Kevin Youkilis (35)

Better do 1 year with an option year with Napoli

[Hugh G Rection]

Not one of the options mentioned in the last several posts are even realistic. Brock Holt was playing SS and 2nd base last checked, he's 5'10 has very little in the way of power and HAS NEVER PLAYED 1ST BASE BEFORE. He is not even a legitimate option. Dan Johnson was having trouble cracking a major league roster and was anemic when on one. He is a classic AAAA player. Casey Kotchman has been a complete dissapointment since the early 2000's when he was a highly touted prospect. He had one good year in Cleveland and has been the definition of replacement level ever since. If this is what we've sunk to then a platoon of Salty and Gomez is our best bet.....

Sign Napoli to a deal that includes a buyout for injury and incentives if he plays in a reasonable amount of games per season and get this done.

[BeantownIdaho]

according to Jim Bowden and Jon Heyman the Sox and Napoli are progressing toward a 1 year deal...

https://twitter.com/...662748176240640
http://www.cbssports...ed-by-next-week

[Tyrone Biggums]

according to Jim Bowden and Jon Heyman the Sox and Napoli are progressing toward a 1 year deal...

https://twitter.com/...662748176240640
http://www.cbssports...ed-by-next-week

Ill love to see how many people hate him when he's leading us in power categories by mid May. A very very underrated player on this board. I think it's funny that people actually rate Gomez and Holt higher than Napoli.

[Sampo Gida]

Ill love to see how many people hate him when he's leading us in power categories by mid May. A very very underrated player on this board. I think it's funny that people actually rate Gomez and Holt higher than Napoli.

If he is then a lot of people might regret him being on a 1 yr deal. Of course, if he refuses a QO they get a draft pick.

I would think the Morse trade gives Napoli some leverage and that a team like the Yankees might consider Napoli on a 1 yr deal, If the hip is not bothering Napoli he should really consider dumping his agent before he signs a 1 yr deal .

[BeantownIdaho]

Based on the market next year and the possiblity of him mashing in Fenway, I am hoping there is some sort of performance based option. Would Boston still consider a trade for Smoak to stash him in Pawtucket for this year considering the lack of future options?

[BeantownIdaho]

via twitter... Edes - "Brian Grieper, Napoli's agent, says it is "reasonable to expect" that Napoli will have made his decision about signing with the Red Sox by next week"

[Sampo Gida]

via twitter... Edes - "Brian Grieper, Napoli's agent, says it is "reasonable to expect" that Napoli will have made his decision about signing with the Red Sox by next week"

The wording of that implies there may be another team. I could be reading too much into it though.

If Napoli really has a potentially serious hip problem and accepts that he does, he probably accepts without hard feelings a reduction in what the Red Sox offered and he agreed to, 3/39 to what they want to give him now, 1 yr, <13 million

If not, and his ability to move on to another team was hampered due to the Red Sox leaking information about his hip, which may not be a problem for 5 years, and hurting his market value , he won't be a happy guy. Maybe that's not important, but for a team that seems to have placed great importance on improving the clubhouse atmosphere, it probably does not help to this end.

[Hugh G Rection]

It would be stupid for Napoli to accept it, but probably the most beneficial deal for the sox would be a 1 year deal at the same AAV plus two option years. That would leave them an out if Napoli were hurt after the first year and would allow then un-varnished rights to Napoli beyond this year. It would also give slightly more stability to Napoli for the last 2 years of the deal assuming he still is sold on the 3/39mil original offer.

[Hugh G Rection]

Boston Glob and also John Heyman on the radio reporting (also seeing Rob Bradford WEEI) that the deal is done..... 1 Year deal with various incentives, no word on any options or other additional language/possible control.

So the sox walk away with a better deal and probably save a bit of money on a very very low risk move

Edited by Hugh G Rection, 17 January 2013 - 09:28 AM.

[rglenmt]

Mgr. John Farrell should now look at who is best 1B to backup Mike Napoli this Season? We don't know really anything. except stats about Mark Hamilton, a little about Mauro Gomez, probably the 2 most experienced 1B on the roster. Right now, having waited to come to a Contract solution wit Mike Napoli, with a medical issue still present, who else should be looked at by Ben and John? When this topic started, I suggested Casey Kotchman, not realizing such a controversy would embroil.

respectfully submitted,

rglenmt f/k/a pudgefick


p.s. still suggest infielders Pesky Pedroia, ST Drew and Wlll Middlebrooks would vote for Casey K

[BeantownIdaho]

Lars Anderson designated for assignement today as fallout from the trade....my opinion...GRAB HIM!!!

[Stanley Steamer]

Lars Anderson designated for assignement today as fallout from the trade....my opinion...GRAB HIM!!!

I was thinking of posting that as well, but was too slow. He's lefty, can field the position, draw a walk on occasion, and would be inexpensive. Not too sure how he'd fare in the OF, and we couldn't expect much SLG from him. I'd take Gomez over him, but we do need a lefty. Kotchman is probably a safer bet, at a slightly higher price. I get the sense Berkmann doesn't want to be in Boston. Who else is out there?

[GreenFields]

I don't understand the perception that first is the easiest defensive position to play. It's corner infield, needs adept footwork around the bag, requires difficult throws (on 3-6-3), has an obscured view of the batter any time a runner is leading off first, is involved in more 'plays' than anyone but the catcher.... I'm not sure what the Overbay signing indicates, but I doubt there's room on the 40-man roster for a backup first baseman. It's hard to believe there's not a natural in the pipeline. 

[Hugh G Rection]

You'd have to think that Gomez is a better bet at this point than Overbay to produce (although Gomez is a RHH). Overbay seems like a longshot chance to even make the team. If he does make the team out of ST , then he either had a tremendous spring or this team is already in serious trouble. He's like the 2005 version of John Olerud (except Overbay can't hit anymore)

[Sampo Gida]

I don't understand the perception that first is the easiest defensive position to play. It's corner infield, needs adept footwork around the bag, requires difficult throws (on 3-6-3), has an obscured view of the batter any time a runner is leading off first, is involved in more 'plays' than anyone but the catcher.... I'm not sure what the Overbay signing indicates, but I doubt there's room on the 40-man roster for a backup first baseman. It's hard to believe there's not a natural in the pipeline. 

I would think Overbay is simply insurance in case Napoli gets hurt in ST.  Since he has an opt out if he is not on the 25 man by the end of ST, he likely exercises it if Napoli is healthy since I doubt very much Farrell goes with a back up 1Bman who can not play another position. 

[alwyn96]

I don't understand the perception that first is the easiest defensive position to play. It's corner infield, needs adept footwork around the bag, requires difficult throws (on 3-6-3), has an obscured view of the batter any time a runner is leading off first, is involved in more 'plays' than anyone but the catcher.... I'm not sure what the Overbay signing indicates, but I doubt there's room on the 40-man roster for a backup first baseman. It's hard to believe there's not a natural in the pipeline. 

 

Nearly every position player on a baseball team is usually capable of playing 1B. You don't have to be as fast, most hitters are RH and tend to hit the ball the other way so there are many fewer fielding chances, and 3-6-3 DPs are pretty rare (I'd guess 3-6-1 is more common) and I'm not sure they really require all that much skill. Even David Ortiz can do them! Sure, 1B requires some skills, but the other positions require a lot more. This is generally pretty widely accepted. 

 

It doesn't really seem like there's a place for Overbay, though. Every year the Red Sox sign a few guys who are long shots to make the team, and I'm guessing Overbay is one of them.

Edited by alwyn96, 01 February 2013 - 10:50 PM.

[GreenFields]

Nearly every position player on a baseball team is usually capable of playing 1B. You don't have to be as fast, most hitters are RH and tend to hit the ball the other way so there are many fewer fielding chances, and 3-6-3 DPs are pretty rare (I'd guess 3-6-1 is more common) and I'm not sure they really require all that much skill. Even David Ortiz can do them! Sure, 1B requires some skills, but the other positions require a lot more. This is generally pretty widely accepted. 

 

It doesn't really seem like there's a place for Overbay, though. Every year the Red Sox sign a few guys who are long shots to make the team, and I'm guessing Overbay is one of them.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. But there are also those little disasters first baseman are responsible for: the bad feed to the pitcher covering first resulting in twisted ankle; first baseman colliding with runner on throw up the line resulting in injury to self.... Most guys are capable, then there's the inevitable play they step all on their own dick, fall down, and the ball goes careening into right field etc. I seem to remember Millar involved in some adventures in 2004, (6 errors in 32 games). Didn't they routinely put in Mientkiewicz as late inning defensive replacement? Be nice to have someone like that, though as far as roster construction rather have pitchers.

[alwyn96]

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. But there are also those little disasters first baseman are responsible for: the bad feed to the pitcher covering first resulting in twisted ankle; first baseman colliding with runner on throw up the line resulting in injury to self.... Most guys are capable, then there's the inevitable play they step all on their own dick, fall down, and the ball goes careening into right field etc. I seem to remember Millar involved in some adventures in 2004, (6 errors in 32 games). Didn't they routinely put in Mientkiewicz as late inning defensive replacement? Be nice to have someone like that, though as far as roster construction rather have pitchers.

 

Sure, I mean, they have to have some talent/ability. I probably couldn't play a major league 1B. 

 

That said, the Red Sox have certainly put emphasized defense at 1B since Millar. Well, I guess it's just been Youkilis and Gonzalez, but both of them were excellent defensive 1B. With the big RF at Fenway, 1B defense comes in handy. 

 

Of course, they won a World Series with Millar out there, so whatevs. A good backup LH 1B/LF/3B would be handy, though. If only Eric Hinske were younger or Ty Wigginton were LH or good. Unfortunately the 40-man is already pretty crowded without a glove-heavy 1B. Like you say, I'll take the "problem" of having too many interesting young pitchers. 

Edited by alwyn96, 03 February 2013 - 12:04 AM.

[Sampo Gida]

Sure, I mean, they have to have some talent/ability. I probably couldn't play a major league 1B. 

 

That said, the Red Sox have certainly put emphasized defense at 1B since Millar. Well, I guess it's just been Youkilis and Gonzalez, but both of them were excellent defensive 1B. With the big RF at Fenway, 1B defense comes in handy. 

 

Of course, they won a World Series with Millar out there, so whatevs. A good backup LH 1B/LF/3B would be handy, though. If only Eric Hinske were younger or Ty Wigginton were LH or good. Unfortunately the 40-man is already pretty crowded without a glove-heavy 1B. Like you say, I'll take the "problem" of having too many interesting young pitchers. 

 

I am a big Tito fan but one of my gripes with him was playing Millar so much after they acquired  Olerud in 2005 when Olerud was swinging a hot bat and making plays in the field.  I sometimes think many of Renterias issues with errors in 2005 was Millar at 1B (looked into it one time and found he had far fewer errors than with Millar starting at 1B than Olerud even after adjusting for playing time).  The team was 28-10 in games Olerud started, which could be a coincidence due to SSS or the issues the Red Sox had against LHP'ers, but still.

 

I think the defensive metrics understate the defensive value of a 1B man.  They do look at scoops but a good 1Bman measure makes plays that can not be measured by scoops alone.  Be interesting to see how Napoli at 1B affects infield defense on the whole.

[GreenFields]

...And when the first baseman fails to catch the throw it tends to put the runner immediately into scoring position.

[bosox0192]

 According to a major league source, the Red Sox remain interested in trading for Mariners first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp, and remain, in the source’s words, “hopeful” that a deal for the 26-year-old can be worked out

 

http://fullcount.wee...-for-mike-carp/

 

Maybe in exchange for one of the out-of-options relievers?

[Hugh G Rection]

http://fullcount.wee...-for-mike-carp/

 

Maybe in exchange for one of the out-of-options relievers?

Deal is done, Carp to sox for a PTBNL (not expected to be a prospect of much value)....  Seems like solid move, young guy (27), had some very nice numbers in the minors albeit in the PCL so there is a grain of salt. Had a good half season + in 2011 and might be able to turn it around with a change of scenary and getting away from Safeco. Low risk, moderate reward. He won't impress anyone defensively, but could provide some LH pop as part of a platoon with Gomes and part time 1stbaseman.  I'd play him pretty close to a straight platoon with Gomes getting about 25% of the AB's agaisnt RH pitchers and 100% against LH pitchers.... I'd think this deals a blow to Overbay, Gomez and Nava's chance of making the big club out of ST. I think Sweeney and Carp will be the 4th and 5th outfielders, because Sweeney can play RF and CF decently and has an opt out in his contract if he isn't on the roster opening day.

[koufax37]

Carp is a good guy to have in the mix, although I don't see him playing over Napoli too often except for injuries or matchups against certain RHP.  I think he is much more valuable than Gomez especially hitting lefty to complement with Napoli.  Nothing too special, but I think our 40 man roster and depth got a little stronger today.

[BeantownIdaho]

I agree...Carp has a lot more to offer in terms of versatility than anyone who was out there. You need those types of guys to fill in from time to time in different places. He coudl prove to be a valuable commodity

[alwyn96]

I agree...Carp has a lot more to offer in terms of versatility than anyone who was out there. You need those types of guys to fill in from time to time in different places. He coudl prove to be a valuable commodity

 

I'm not sure Carp really has much more versatility than Nava. He's probably a better bet at 1B just due to his being taller than Nava, although Nava might be a little better in LF. Offensively they're probably a push, with Nava projecting a better OBP and Carp a better SLG. I'd guess that Carp gets the job, since I believe Nava still has an option and Overbay probably hasn't played an inning of OF since college.