Palodios

Reports coming in mentioned that Rangers actually offered Napoli more money than the Red Sox, but he went to Boston because he would have a more defined role here.

If he's healthy, who cares? The Red Sox will probably free up money midseason with an Ellsbury trade anyway, or possibly Lackey/Salty trades. Keeping Napoli at that price adds significant flexibility, both positional and financially.

Current estimates put the Red Sox payroll at maybe 10 million under the luxury tax. Is Marcum still an option? Lohse? Floyd?

Well s***. Napoli for one year, at $5 million dollars. Ben, your succulent breasts have done it again. This is a huge, all upside move. They have the flexibility to get another very good arm, or bat with the savings if they want.

Well s***. Napoli for one year, at $5 million dollars. Ben, your succulent breasts have done it again. This is a huge, all upside move. They have the flexibility to get another very good arm, or bat with the savings if they want.

Current speculation is that Chris Carpenter will be the guy cut from the 40-man roster to make room for Napoli. Dan Butler, and Alex Hassan are also options. I'd love to see the Red Sox trade off Salty for prospects at this point.

Reports say it is official.

If it is just a one year deal, I would not be surprised if there are vesting options for years two and three.

Sounds like the Mariners are getting Morse. That means one less suitor for Napoli, and no more options for the Red Sox. Not sure who has the leverage here.

Fortunately, its a one year deal. That should give Gomez plenty of time to develop in the minor leagues, and next year, he's going to turn into the next Miggy Cabrera.

New reports coming out saying that the Red Sox and Napoli are progressing towards a deal.

Japanese teams have been able to deal out contracts in the low millions this year, and pulling low-to-mid tier talent back to Japan. I doubt anyone would have paid 3.5 million for Padilla in the states.

Here's a fun image from majestic: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/assets_c/2013/01/70-76141-Y-thumb-250x262-92404.jpg Wouldn't it be hilarious that after all this time, it was a dispute about his jersey number?

I saw that as well That will be a relief.

I'm not sure if you can afford him. Brentz is more likely the team's future left fielder, Bradley to center, Victorino in right. Kalish will probably too injured to play, I don't think he has had mono yet, has he?

Since when have we seen any suggestions for a Lavarnway position change? I'd definitely like to see him move to 1B, but the Red Sox FO know that he's worth significantly more at C, so they've refused so far. Lavarnway has hit significantly better in the minors, which is probably why is such a snowflake to posters here.

I would like to ask.... Who the on earth thought John Lackey was a sexy signing?

Sounds pretty brutal already! Not much we don't already know, but he's confirmed a lot of things. I had no idea Shaughnessy was involved. Werner talked about slumping television ratings and whined, ‘We need to start winning in more exciting fashion.' ” * From Epstein: “They told us we didn’t have any marketable players, that we needed some sizzle. We need some sexy guys. Talk about the tail wagging the dog. This is like an absurdist comedy. We’d become too big. It was the farthest thing from what we set out to be.” * Back to Francona: "One thing the players were always asking for was getaway day games. The owners would never go for it. They couldn’t have more day games because the ratings were already suffering, and that would have hurt worse.” * More Francona: “Our owners in Boston, they’ve been owners for 10 years. They come in with all these ideas about baseball, but I don’t think they love baseball. I think they like baseball. It’s revenue, and I know that’s their right and their interest because they’re owners — and they’re good owners. But they don’t love the game. It’s still more of a toy or a hobby for them. It’s not their blood. They’re going to come in and out of baseball. It’s different for me. Baseball is my life.”

The Marlins signed Nick Green. Sounds like they'll be joining the Cubs at the bottom of the NL

Is anyone concerned about the lack of minor league signings that the Red Sox have made over the last month? It feels like they are fine with the depth that they have, but I feel like they need more depth in corner outfield spots, the rotation and at first base-- even if Napoli does sign.

That wouldn't work very well for the Napoli camp though. He's hit 500+ PAs exactly one time in his career. His next highest is 432.

But it doesn't change the fact that he flat out sucks either, does it?

I had originally read a source that said "One year", and didn't use terminology that made it sound like more were possible.

This does seem to make a painful amount of sense haha.

Napoli on a one year deal seems unfair to the player. At the very least, they could tack on one, or maybe two vesting options based on games played.