Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[Orange Juiced]

I am pumped about this deal.

 

The fact the Sox didn't have to go 4 years on him is fantastic. And $13mm AAV is a steal for a guy who will consistently give you 30-40 HR, a .350 OBP, and a middle of the order, RH bat.

 

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Napoli has an OPS of over 1.000 at Fenway this year, with an OPS of around .850 on the road, .925 overall.

 

Re: the bolded part - um, what? He's hit more than 26 hr just *once* in his career (30 in 2011). Now he has never gotten more than 453 ab, so it's likely that his hr numbers will go up with more at-bats, but he's in no way a lock to give the Sox a consistent 30-40 hr level of production.

 

I expect him to be around 30 hr, 85 rbi, and about an .850 ops. And that, for $13 million a season, is a great bargain.

 

I'm very happy with the signing, but let's not pencil him for regularly putting up 35-40 homers just yet. If he does that, bonus.

[BSN07]

Re: the bolded part - um, what? He's hit more than 26 hr just *once* in his career (30 in 2011). Now he has never gotten more than 453 ab, so it's likely that his hr numbers will go up with more at-bats, but he's in no way a lock to give the Sox a consistent 30-40 hr level of production.

 

I expect him to be around 30 hr, 85 rbi, and about an .850 ops. And that, for $13 million a season, is a great bargain.

 

I'm very happy with the signing, but let's not pencil him for regularly putting up 35-40 homers just yet. If he does that, bonus.

 

I think he was more projecting what Napoli could do playing at Fenway 81 times a year.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Re: the bolded part - um, what? He's hit more than 26 hr just *once* in his career (30 in 2011). Now he has never gotten more than 453 ab, so it's likely that his hr numbers will go up with more at-bats, but he's in no way a lock to give the Sox a consistent 30-40 hr level of production.

 

I expect him to be around 30 hr, 85 rbi, and about an .850 ops. And that, for $13 million a season, is a great bargain.

 

I'm very happy with the signing, but let's not pencil him for regularly putting up 35-40 homers just yet. If he does that, bonus.

 

I didn't say 35-40. I said 30-40.

 

And he hit 30 in 2011 in 113 games, and 23 in 2012 in 108 games.

 

Not only will he be playing more games because he won't be catching as much (think: 140-145), but he will also be playing at Fenway, where his pull happy, lofty swing will be perfect.

 

I think a consistent 30-40 HR season from Napoli is exactly what we can expect, largely due to his increase in games played, as well as the monster.

[jung]

Napoli's K's have gone back to pretty high as they have been throughout most of his career. I would expect his K's to go up with more at bats as well. He might not make it to Granderson and Salty K numbers but 140 or so is not out of the question. I am not sure where he will bat in a Sox order that his BB's are that important but he does have a history of walking a fair amount. Sort of an odd duck...good power numbers...walks and K's.

[BSN07]

I think this will lead to Salty being dealt at the meetings. CWS, CHC, NYM and Seattle all looking for a starting C or someone to platoon at C.

[a700hitter]

Okay something to talk about right off the bat. This is a good move. He'll be productive power-wise and he has the flexibility to play behind the plate. He's not a #4 or 5 hitter, but at 6 he'll provide good production.

 

Now,with 4 catchers, it's time to trade Salty.

[User Name]

Napoli's K's have gone back to pretty high as they have been throughout most of his career. I would expect his K's to go up with more at bats as well. He might not make it to Granderson and Salty K numbers but 140 or so is not out of the question. I am not sure where he will bat in a Sox order that his BB's are that important but he does have a history of walking a fair amount. Sort of an odd duck...good power numbers...walks and K's.

 

Why and odd duck? That's the prototypical "all-or-nothing" hitter profile. Think Adam Dunn, Jason Giambi, Carlos Pena, and that's the profile Curtis Granderson is trending to as he ages.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I'm just waiting for the Ben the boob haters to try and make this a bad thing lol.

[BSN07]

Agreeing to sign Mike Napoli doesn't take the Red Sox out of the running for Nick Swisher, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, who says (via Twitter) that the Sox remain in talks with Swisher. Cody Ross and Shane Victorino also remain on Boston's radar, though the team is likely out of the running for Adam LaRoche, tweets ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

 

Looks like the might be going for the Napoli-Swisher combo.

[Bellhorn04]

Napoli's K's have gone back to pretty high as they have been throughout most of his career. I would expect his K's to go up with more at bats as well. He might not make it to Granderson and Salty K numbers but 140 or so is not out of the question. I am not sure where he will bat in a Sox order that his BB's are that important but he does have a history of walking a fair amount. Sort of an odd duck...good power numbers...walks and K's.

 

A statmeiester told me hitters like this are called TTO hitters. Stands for Three True Outcomes-Home Runs, Walks and Strikeouts. Adam Dunn is a prime example.

[BSN07]

I'm just waiting for the Ben the boob haters to try and make this a bad thing lol.

 

They can't. There's nothing to be upset over on this deal.

[Orange Juiced]

I think he was more projecting what Napoli could do playing at Fenway 81 times a year.

 

He won't be facing the crappy Red Sox' pitching staff in those games though.

[BSN07]

Ellsbury

Swisher

Pedroia

Ortiz

Napoli

Middlebrooks

Kalish/Gomes

Ross/Lavs

Iggy

 

It's a good lineup(order subject to change )

[BSN07]

He won't be facing the crappy Red Sox' pitching staff in those games though.

 

lol

[Orange Juiced]

I didn't say 35-40. I said 30-40.

 

And he hit 30 in 2011 in 113 games, and 23 in 2012 in 108 games.

 

Not only will he be playing more games because he won't be catching as much (think: 140-145), but he will also be playing at Fenway, where his pull happy, lofty swing will be perfect.

 

I think a consistent 30-40 HR season from Napoli is exactly what we can expect, largely due to his increase in games played, as well as the monster.

 

I'm not saying he can't produce 30-40 homers. You just stated that he'll be a "consistent 30-40 hr" guy. Given that he's never hit more than 30 - and yes, I realize that he hasn't ever had 500+ ab either - I just think that's a bit of a stretch.

 

I mean, if you project his numbers out, sure, he *could* be a consistent 30-40 hr guy, and we all hope that happens. But we just don't know, because he's never done that before.

 

That's all I'm saying. But don't get me wrong - I really like this move.

[User Name]

Why and odd duck? That's the prototypical "all-or-nothing" hitter profile. Think Adam Dunn, Jason Giambi, Carlos Pena, and that's the profile Curtis Granderson is trending to as he ages.

 

A statmeiester told me hitters like this are called TTO hitters. Stands for Three True Outcomes-Home Runs, Walks and Strikeouts. Adam Dunn is a prime example.

 

^This.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I think Napoli is a bit more than a TTO guy, though. At Fenway, assuming he's healthy, he can hit you .265. More than an Adam Dunn/Carlos Pena type IMO.

 

More of a 2009 Jason Bay type, assuming health.

[User Name]

I think Napoli is a bit more than a TTO guy, though. At Fenway, assuming he's healthy, he can hit you .265. More than an Adam Dunn/Carlos Pena type IMO.

 

More of a 2009 Jason Bay type, assuming health.

 

There's a lot of assumption there, but it's not impossible.

[BSN07]

The Mariners had "no idea" that the Red Sox were closing in on an agreement with Napoli, GM Jack Zduriencik tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

 

Looks like Cherries did some lunch eating of his own

[jung]

Odd in the sense that Napoli's walks appear to come as a consequence more of patience at the plate as opposed to being pitched around. Usually guys with power, high K's high walks get many of their walks by being pitched around. Does not appear to be the case with Napoli...more a matter of good plate discipline and that is odd for a high K, high power guy.

 

Although maybe the part I am missing is that his K's are climbing again. Maybe that is the trade off.

[User Name]

They wouldn't pitch around him because he hit 7th in Texas.

[jung]

Agreed, so his walks are coming as a consequence of having good plate discipline.

[User Name]

Napoli tied with Adam Dunn last year for the MLB lead in Pitches per Plate Appearance.

[User Name]

Correction: 1st in the AL (4.43) 2nd in MLB (AJ Ellis was the leader with a 4.44 P/PA ratio)

[bubbakeg52]

The Red Sox got a pretty good 3b. All Napoli has to do is hit .300 and he will be better than A-Gone because he is cheaper. But I don't know what 1b gets paid 9 mil for being a gold glover. Either way you get my point. Napoli hits well in the post season.

[BSN07]

Giancarlo Stanton remains unhappy with the direction of the Marlins, agent Joel Wolfe tells Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). "It wasn't a reaction," Wolfe said, referring to Stanton's post-trade tweet last month. "It's a state of mind." Wolfe declined comment when asked if Stanton has requested a trade, according to Heyman (Twitter link).

 

Lester to KC, Stanton to Boston, Myers +++ to Marlins wooooot! Ok I joke cause I know everyone is in a fairly decent move for the first time in awhile

[bubbakeg52]

I'm allright with that b/c Sanchez can fill the gap until Lincecum or Kerkshaw arrive in the future. I would rather them trade Bucholz for Myers. Then trade Myers, Lester, prospects to SEA for Hernandez. I know I'm not crazy for an upgrade over both (Bucholz and Lester) and replace one of the two in the Free Agency.

[BSN07]

With a plethora of catchers in the mix, the Red Sox will field offers for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, tweets Jon Heyman.

 

Not surprising he's the odd guy out. His value is not likely to get higher after his good power display this year.

[bubbakeg52]

Swisher doesn't hit in the postseason. If Boston is trading for a SP, the sox should sign Swisher and Hamilton.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not surprising he's the odd guy out. His value is not likely to get higher after his good power display this year.

 

He's an all power and nothing else "catcher" who likely needs to move off the position. His value isnt high