Sources say Napoli signs with Sox.

[Rdsxmbnt]

Really hope they don't sign laroche. 3 years would be excessive for a guy coming off a career year and is no more consistent then when he was a fringe starter for us three years ago.

[a700hitter]

Really hope they don't sign laroche. 3 years would be excessive for a guy coming off a career year and is no more consistent then when he was a fringe starter for us three years ago.

A "fringe starter for us"? He was with us for 6 games before Theo inexplicably traded him for the punch-less Casey Kotchman. Since then LaRoche has been pretty productive except in 2011 which he missed most of with injury.

[Spitball]

Really hope they don't sign laroche. 3 years would be excessive for a guy coming off a career year and is no more consistent then when he was a fringe starter for us three years ago.

 

Actually, LaRoche has been very consistent through the years.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/larocad01.shtml

 

He has stayed pretty close to his career slashline (.268/.338/.482) for nine years.

 

I find it interesting that Napoli has had only one season in which he has played more than 114 games. In 2010, he played 140 games and had a slashline (.238/.316./468) that was well below his career numbers. That year he played 70 games at first and 66 as catcher with a few PH and DH appearances.

[a700hitter]

Hopefully, Napoli has another suitor and we can get a true first baseman that is healthy.

Napoli Has Interest From Another Team

By Zach Links [December 27 at 3:38pm CST]

At least one team has been in communication with Mike Napoli's representatives since negotiations with the Red Sox hit a snag, multiple baseball sources tell Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.* However, one source says it is believed that no contract offer has been extended by a team other than the Sox since the two sides reached agreement on a deal earlier this month.

 

The Red Sox and Napoli have yet to finalize their agreement on a three-year, $39MM deal due to concerns over the 31-year-old's hip.* Earlier today, we learned that Boston has been in talks with free agent Adam LaRoche as a possible alternative.* Signing LaRoche would cost Boston their second-round pick and the veteran says that he is looking for a three-year deal.

[reYoukilis]

Actually, LaRoche has been very consistent through the years.

 

He has stayed pretty close to his career slashline (.268/.338/.482) for nine years.

 

I find it interesting that Napoli has had only one season in which he has played more than 114 games. In 2010, he played 140 games and had a slashline (.238/.316./468) that was well below his career numbers. That year he played 70 games at first and 66 as catcher with a few PH and DH appearances.

 

Ditto! And a gold glove award to boot.

 

Although if Napoli goes we are missing all those righty green monster crushers I thought we were going to have, ie Napoli, Ross.

[seabeachfred]

You don't know that to be true.

 

I wasn't impressed with LaRoche the first time around, I doubt he will impress me the second time around. If LaRcoche wants a 3 year deal, then stay the f*** away.

 

This team is in rebuild mode. That does not mean that they will suck, but they have methodically started rebuiling this team.

 

The bullpen looks like it could be a strength. If the rotation pitches to their capabilities, it could be a strength.

 

Offense has never been a weakness. If Napoli does not sign, let Gomez have some AB's. Give the kid a month, if it doesn't work out, figure something out in May.....they have a surplus at C, CF and SS....all of which are premium positions. They also have a bunch of mid tier prospects. It shouldnt be too hard to spin a deal for a bat if Gomez does not work out.

 

It seems to becoming increasingly clear that this is the way the Red Sox might go. I don't like it but there is nothing I can do about it but gripe----and who in their front office hears me or gives a rat's ass. Keep this in mind, the last time the Red Sox tried to replace a premium first baseman, Mo Vaughn they stupidly replaced him with a dud named Jose Oferman. Remember? What a debacle that was. I just have to hope the Napoli things works itself out because I just don't think a lot of Mauro Gomez.

 

As for prospects, the Red Sox have a Red Sox site and looking at their 60 top prospects I recall only one first baseman in the bunch, way down on the list. A guy named Travis something or other. We are going to need a long term first baseman, the sooner the better IMO.

[Dojji]

Travis Shaw.

 

Apparently the Sox don't really believe in drafting 1B. Any 1B we wind up with is going to be converted from some other position like Youk was..

[SoxFanForsyth]

Travis Shaw.

 

Apparently the Sox don't really believe in drafting 1B. Any 1B we wind up with is going to be converted from some other position like Youk was..

 

To be fair, though, Shaw could be a great fit. He's very much like Youkilis, high OBP, good pop (20-25 HR).

 

Shaws 22 year old season between A+ and AA (.287/.397/.517) is similar to Youks 23 year old season between A+ and AA (.310/.436/.424), significantly more pop, but less OBP. But he is also a year younger.

[User Name]

It seems to becoming increasingly clear that this is the way the Red Sox might go. I don't like it but there is nothing I can do about it but gripe----and who in their front office hears me or gives a rat's ass. Keep this in mind, the last time the Red Sox tried to replace a premium first baseman, Mo Vaughn they stupidly replaced him with a dud named Jose Oferman. Remember? What a debacle that was. I just have to hope the Napoli things works itself out because I just don't think a lot of Mauro Gomez.

 

As for prospects, the Red Sox have a Red Sox site and looking at their 60 top prospects I recall only one first baseman in the bunch, way down on the list. A guy named Travis something or other. We are going to need a long term first baseman, the sooner the better IMO.

 

Offerman was signed as a second baseman who filled in at first and other positions occasionally. He saw less than 100 games at first ( with around a quarter of them entering as a replacement) during his entire tenure with the team. The heir apparent to mo was Tony Clark, and Offerman was part of the roster already when he arrived after the Vaughn trade.

[rjortiz]

To be fair, though, Shaw could be a great fit. He's very much like Youkilis, high OBP, good pop (20-25 HR).

 

Shaws 22 year old season between A+ and AA (.287/.397/.517) is similar to Youks 23 year old season between A+ and AA (.310/.436/.424), significantly more pop, but less OBP. But he is also a year younger.

 

Shaw sucks.

[Behindenemylines]

As of today, M Gomez is the only 1B on the 40 man roster. The whole Napoli thing is a problem for the Sox. The team remains in limbo at 1B as this thing drags on. The longer they wait to make a decision on this the less options they have. LaRoche's name came up again, he is a solid Defensive 1B but there is the whole draft pick thing to think of. Are there any other 1B out there to trade for? We do have exter RP and C to trade if that could bring back a 1B.

[SoxSport]

Jen Royle, who seems closest to the Napoli situation--she's actually a friend of Napoli--now tweets she thinks Napoli will sign with the Red Sox for 2 years.

[Spitball]

Shaw sucks.

 

Haha! At least SoxFanForsyth gave us some statistical evidence that indicates Shaw is not too bad. What do you have to support you contention?

 

Frankly, an unsubstantiated opinion doesn't reach Talksox standards for an informative post.

[Spitball]

Scouting Report: Left-handed corner infielder, with filled out frame. Not overly athletic. Displays strong plate discipline and advanced approach. Sweet spot for pitches down and in due to upward swing path. Average batspeed. Needs improvement covering outer third. Can be long with his swing, but stays back to hit inside of the ball. Gap-to-gap hitter. Solid-average power potential. Strong pull power into right-centerfield gap. Plays both third and first base defensively. Not enough range and quickness to play third. Learning how to play first base. Shows skills to handle position, but feet are on the slow side. Hands are not overly soft. Son of former major league pitcher Jeff Shaw. Previously drafted in the 32nd round in 2008 by the Red Sox, but elected to attend Kent State instead. Excellent work ethic and makeup. Student of the game. Batspeed will be tested in upper levels. Ceiling of an average regular on a second division team.

[SeanJohn93]

A "fringe starter for us"? He was with us for 6 games before Theo inexplicably traded him for the punch-less Casey Kotchman. Since then LaRoche has been pretty productive except in 2011 which he missed most of with injury.

 

The reason Theo made that move was because they had just traded for Victor Martinez and LaRoche was not comfortable being in a backup role when Vic played 1st. That is why Theo shipped him to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman because he was more suited for a backup role

[SeanJohn93]

There has also been talk of prospect blake swihart moving to 1st base

[a700hitter]

The reason Theo made that move was because they had just traded for Victor Martinez and LaRoche was not comfortable being in a backup role when Vic played 1st. That is why Theo shipped him to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman because he was more suited for a backup role

I don't believe in enabling prima Dona's.. We had him. He's a professional. He plays in the role assigned.

[Spitball]

I don't believe in enabling prima Dona's.. We had him. He's a professional. He plays in the role assigned.

 

As I remember it, SeanJohn is correct as to how Epstein explained the trade. I looked at it as similar to the acquisition on Doug Mientkiewicz in 2004. LaRoche is a very good defensive first baseman, but Kotchman is a superior defensive player. With Lowell hurting, Youkilis was expected to play some third base. Victor Martinez would be playing some first, but he was not a good defensive player at the position. Kotchman was a strategic piece in the big picture.

[a700hitter]

As I remember it, SeanJohn is correct as to how Epstein explained the trade. I looked at it as similar to the acquisition on Doug Mientkiewicz in 2004. LaRoche is a very good defensive first baseman, but Kotchman is a superior defensive player. With Lowell hurting, Youkilis was expected to play some third base. Victor Martinez would be playing some first, but he was not a good defensive player at the position. Kotchman was a strategic piece in the big picture.

LaRoche is pretty good with the glove. Kotchman is not so much better as to justify the difference in offense.

[SeanJohn93]

The real question is if you are the sox, would you rather want Napoli or LaRoche/Morse whomever the Nats sign will be mentioned as a possible landing spot in Boston if Napoli falls through. Morse, like Napoli, had an off year last year after posting a career year in 2011

[Spitball]

LaRoche is pretty good with the glove. Kotchman is not so much better as to justify the difference in offense.

 

As SeanJohn said, Kotchman was probably better suited to the back up role, and he is a great defensive first baseman as his .998 fielding average tells us. Despite LaRoche's .995 fielding average, he is not Kotchman defensively.

 

I will agree it was not a good trade for the Sox, but the rotation of Varitek, Martinez, Lowell, Youkilis, and Kotchman sharing three positions was pretty affective.

[a700hitter]

As SeanJohn said, Kotchman was probably better suited to the back up role, and he is a great defensive first baseman as his .998 fielding average tells us. Despite LaRoche's .995 fielding average, he is not Kotchman defensively.

 

I will agree it was not a good trade for the Sox, but the rotation of Varitek, Martinez, Lowell, Youkilis, and Kotchman sharing three positions was pretty affective.

I remember Kotchman as a zero for us.

[Spitball]

I remember Kotchman as a zero for us.

 

He may have been, but I understand Epstein's thought process. Kotchman has averaged less than two errors per year for nine years. He was supposed to be a Mientkiewicz-like part to a team effort.

[a700hitter]

He may have been, but I understand Epstein's thought process. Kotchman has averaged less than two errors per year for nine years. He was supposed to be a Mientkiewicz-like part to a team effort.

Minky was a special fielder-- one of the best that I have seen play the position. He was speculation. Kotchman was a good glove man, but not of the same ilk.

[SCM33]

Offerman was signed as a second baseman who filled in at first and other positions occasionally. He saw less than 100 games at first ( with around a quarter of them entering as a replacement) during his entire tenure with the team. The heir apparent to mo was Tony Clark, and Offerman was part of the roster already when he arrived after the Vaughn trade.

 

Offerman was actually signed to play first base. Stanley played better defensively in spring training, and Offerman was made the DH.

 

His first start at 2B was 3 weeks in to the season after Jeff Frye was injured.

 

Offerman was supposed to play 1B

Frye was supposed to play 2B.

Stanley was supposed to DH.

 

The injury to Frye moved Offerman to 2B and forced Reggie Jefferson and Brian Daubach into the lineup as DH/1B.

[User Name]

Offerman was actually signed to play first base. Stanley played better defensively in spring training, and Offerman was made the DH.

 

His first start at 2B was 3 weeks in to the season after Jeff Frye was injured.

 

Offerman was supposed to play 1B

Frye was supposed to play 2B.

Stanley was supposed to DH.

 

The injury to Frye moved Offerman to 2B and forced Reggie Jefferson and Brian Daubach into the lineup as DH/1B.

 

I disagree. I remember Offerman being signed as a guy who could essentially rotate around multiple positions with Stanley and Frye being the 1B and 2B regulars. In fact, Offerman barely had any 1B experience at that point. I do know they weren't going to play Stanley full time at 1B and Offerman's "ability" to play 1st factored into his signing, which was absolutely atrocious by the way.

[a700hitter]

Offerman was actually signed to play first base. Stanley played better defensively in spring training, and Offerman was made the DH.

 

His first start at 2B was 3 weeks in to the season after Jeff Frye was injured.

 

Offerman was supposed to play 1B

Frye was supposed to play 2B.

Stanley was supposed to DH.

 

The injury to Frye moved Offerman to 2B and forced Reggie Jefferson and Brian Daubach into the lineup as DH/1B.

They wanted Offy to play 1B, because he was an atrocious second baseman.

[Spitball]

Minky was a special fielder-- one of the best that I have seen play the position. He was speculation. Kotchman was a good glove man, but not of the same ilk.

 

I respect your opinion, but Mientkiewicz can not be declared significantly better defensively than Kotchman. Absolutely not. Personally, I'd take Kotchman defensively over Mientkiewicz. I'd also take others significantly over the guy including George Scott and Keith Hernandez.

[User Name]

I'm not crazy, here's an excerpt from one of the press releases after Offerman's signing:

 

Offerman, who led Kansas City with a .315 average and the majors with 13 triples, is likely to bat leadoff and see time at first base, second base and designated hitter.

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-11-14/sports/9811140024_1_morris-engelberg-contract-with-jose-offerman-friend-and-lawyer

[Dojji]

How about Kendrys Morales of the Angels? With Pujols on the roster there's no room for him at first base. He's had such a rough last couple ears that I can't imagine the price would be huge.