Sources say Napoli signs with Sox.

[Lucienbel]

And a very Happy New Year to you my friend. Now you must come north of the border from down Mexico way and this season YOU MUST SEE THE RED SOX PLAY AT FENWAY PARK.

 

I still get a few snickers from friends when I tell them the event that made me a Red Sox fan back in the summer of 2010 was Fenway Park, the fans and atmosphere around the ball park. I know there are those who complain about the narrowness of the seats and how we need a new ballpark. Bull@@it IMO. Fenway Park is a gem and I don't ever want to see them tear it down. I saw this painting by the late Thomas Kinkade of Fenway Park and when I saw the 2,700 price I nearly gagged, but then said Hell with it!!!!!! I wanted that painting. The people there gave me a $600.00 discount and that was my Christmas present to myself a few years ago. It hangs right over my living room couch---and keep in mind that my wife roots for the Angels. But she knows my passion for the Red Sox.

 

That's an excellent way to end up a fan. I still remember my first time walking out to the actual seats and seeing the field, it was amazing.

 

While I do think Gomez wouldn't be a bad fill in at first if someone goes down for a week or two, I wouldn't want to see him there all year. They need to figure something out. The more I see talks about it, the more and more it does end up looking like it'll be Napoli.

[jung]

It is interesting that the current position appears to give the Sox a big leg up in their dealings with Napoli. It does not look like anybody is beating his door down to sign him. Maybe the longer it goes, the more the Sox offer of 3/39 with the language maybe even looks better than two years at the same per annum with no language.

[seabeachfred]

That's an excellent way to end up a fan. I still remember my first time walking out to the actual seats and seeing the field, it was amazing.

 

While I do think Gomez wouldn't be a bad fill in at first if someone goes down for a week or two, I wouldn't want to see him there all year. They need to figure something out. The more I see talks about it, the more and more it does end up looking like it'll be Napoli.

 

 

OOOOOPPPPPPSSSSSS Lucien, I meant the summer of 2000, not 2010. I'm more of a veteran of the Red Sox wars that 2010. Should have proofread it better.

[mvp 78]

It is interesting that the current position appears to give the Sox a big leg up in their dealings with Napoli. It does not look like anybody is beating his door down to sign him. Maybe the longer it goes, the more the Sox offer of 3/39 with the language maybe even looks better than two years at the same per annum with no language.

 

You're forgetting about the all important Mystery Team! They may even go 3 years on Napoli!

[Lucienbel]

OOOOOPPPPPPSSSSSS Lucien, I meant the summer of 2000, not 2010. I'm more of a veteran of the Red Sox wars that 2010. Should have proofread it better.

 

Either way, still a great way to become a fan. Nothing like actually being there and realizing that they're your team. I've only ever lived as far as two hours away from the park my whole life and I'm a whole lot closer now too, so I guess I was always lucky in that regard. I'm part of the camp that isn't going to judge you on being a fan for x amount of time though either.... As long as you really mean it, that's all that matters. And you certainly seem to.

[Bellhorn04]

So ridiculous how long this is dragging on. Must be in the hands of a committee of Cherington, Napoli's agent and a couple of lawyers.

[BSN07]

So ridiculous how long this is dragging on. Must be in the hands of a committee of Cherington, Napoli's agent and a couple of lawyers.

 

Or they have moved on and both parties agreed to keep it quiet as it will help both sides in negotiations with other teams/players if they think the 2 are still involved?

 

At this point I'm expecting him to go elsewhere. If he still signs in Boston then ok.

[a700hitter]

Or they have moved on and both parties agreed to keep it quiet as it will help both sides in negotiations with other teams/players if they think the 2 are still involved?

 

At this point I'm expecting him to go elsewhere. If he still signs in Boston then ok.

Why would Napoli keep it quiet? He would want to generate interest in himself. ^ This is not plausible.

[BSN07]

Why would Napoli keep it quiet? He would want to generate interest in himself. ^ This is not plausible.

 

Of course it's plausible. What planet do you live on?

 

I didn't say he wasn't contacting other teams. He doesn't need a press conference to announce he's back on the market. How good would it be for him to say the Red Sox and himself have ended negotiations? It's better for him to have teams believing Boston is still involved.

[jung]

I just that as far as the Sox and Napoli are concerned they are at an impasse. The Sox have apparently made two offers neither that Napoli's people like. The Sox position has appeared to solidify behind those two offers. I don't think the Sox will budge so Napoli will have to if anything is going to happen. That is if I am reading this right.

[BSN07]

I just that as far as the Sox and Napoli are concerned they are at an impasse. The Sox have apparently made two offers neither that Napoli's people like. The Sox position has appeared to solidify behind those two offers. I don't think the Sox will budge so Napoli will have to if anything is going to happen. That is if I am reading this right.

 

That appears to be the situation at the moment. Hard to say for sure though. I still say pass on him and call Minnesota about Morneau.

[Lucienbel]

I just that as far as the Sox and Napoli are concerned they are at an impasse. The Sox have apparently made two offers neither that Napoli's people like. The Sox position has appeared to solidify behind those two offers. I don't think the Sox will budge so Napoli will have to if anything is going to happen. That is if I am reading this right.

 

That's sort of what I'm seeing too. It'll be interesting to see what happens as time starts to dwindle away. Maybe that'll make Napoli budge a little. Unless the Red Sox are making a big deal about nothing, I can't imagine another team would be offering him a better deal.

[seabeachfred]

The only thing more ridiculous than these phantom negotiations is when some of our pro-Cherington colleagues around here start preaching the party line of, well, there still time, these things don't get settled right away, it took longer to get the Drew thing settled in early 2007, and we have confidence out front office knows what it's doing----DESPITE ALL THE EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY.

 

This should have been adjuticated by now---either get him inked or move on and get another first baseman before all are taken up and we're stuck with a worthless loser like Mauro Gomez. How the hell long is going to take before one side or other either blinks or walks out of the room for good. All this does is fortify those of us who are convinced that the Red Sox leadership doesnt know s*** from Shinola.

[SoxSport]

Hey, this is ridiculous. Now they're saying Napoli has an arthritic hip--a deteriorating condition. And they are still hopeful of signing him! You walk away from a guy with an arthritic hip. Not for any kind of money. Crazy to sign this guy.

[MANNYHOF24]

Even if the Sox sign Napoli, it's taken so long and so much has been raised about his hip that I won't even be remotely excited about this move.

[MANNYHOF24]

Of course it's plausible. What planet do you live on?

 

I didn't say he wasn't contacting other teams. He doesn't need a press conference to announce he's back on the market. How good would it be for him to say the Red Sox and himself have ended negotiations? It's better for him to have teams believing Boston is still involved.

 

In this day and age of reporting, we would have heard something. This deal is getting done.

[seabeachfred]

Hey, this is ridiculous. Now they're saying Napoli has an arthritic hip--a deteriorating condition. And they are still hopeful of signing him! You walk away from a guy with an arthritic hip. Not for any kind of money. Crazy to sign this guy.

 

If our brain challenged front office now has proof positive that Napoli has an arthritic hip they now have no excuses for their stumbling and bumbling around on this issue. Run as fast and as far away as you can on this soap opera, and make a move on LaRoche, seek a trade for Morneau or Ike Davis or Morse or anyone not named Mauro Gomez. It is high time this sad joke of trying to find a first baseman comes to an inglorious end.

[a700hitter]

Hey, this is ridiculous. Now they're saying Napoli has an arthritic hip--a deteriorating condition. And they are still hopeful of signing him! You walk away from a guy with an arthritic hip. Not for any kind of money. Crazy to sign this guy.

I agree. There is no bargain price for an arthritic hip. That condition is usually a signal of a rapid end. Walk away.

[iortiz]

This is becoming laughable. Geez!

[Bellhorn04]

Hey, this is ridiculous. Now they're saying Napoli has an arthritic hip--a deteriorating condition. And they are still hopeful of signing him! You walk away from a guy with an arthritic hip. Not for any kind of money. Crazy to sign this guy.

 

Who's saying this? There's a new blurb in the Globe about the Sox being hopeful of finalizing the deal. I can't find any mention of arthritis anywhere.

[mvp 78]

Hope he signs and has a monster year so that I can watch you guys backpedal.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Hope he signs and has a monster year so that I can watch you guys backpedal.

 

x2

[mvp 78]

Who's saying this? There's a new blurb in the Globe about the Sox being hopeful of finalizing the deal. I can't find any mention of arthritis anywhere.

 

SS, seems to get all his news from Cafardo, but no mention of it in his most recent article.

[Bellhorn04]

Hope he signs and has a monster year so that I can watch you guys backpedal.

 

Same here.

[a700hitter]

Hope he signs and has a monster year so that I can watch you guys backpedal.

Who would back pedal about what? Do you always try to be irritating by making so little sense?

[Spitball]

Who's saying this? There's a new blurb in the Globe about the Sox being hopeful of finalizing the deal. I can't find any mention of arthritis anywhere.

 

I just googled "Mike Napoli arthritic hip" and didn't see anything.

[a700hitter]

I just googled "Mike Napoli arthritic hip" and didn't see anything.

Would tweets from reporters show up on a Google search?

[rjortiz]

Stolmy Pimental.

[SoxSport]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/red-sox-hopeful-they-can-complete-napoli-deal.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

See "Healy" comment below the trade rumors blog. Hip condition could be bursitis-arthritis--treated with cortisone injections. Don't know who Healy is, but may know something.

 

In retrospect, this is speculation, as nobody in the media has anything on the medical report. Another commentor said Napoli had a good September.

 

I checked his 2012 stats. He had a good April and September (7 hrs , OPS>.9 both months, BA .250s), but terrible the months in between. Tough call on what that means.

[Bellhorn04]

Worth noting: Napoli was on the DL last year from approx mid-Aug to mid-Sept. When he returned, in his last 16 games he hit 7 dingers and had 16 RBI.