Red Sox deal with Napoli may fall apart

[bagwell368]

^^ If you read the Rosenthal article he actually goes into the dynamics of the Napoli market in the wake of his issue with the Sox and specifically mentions the comments of some MLBPA-type who says the Sox are justified in their caution. If an MLBPA guy is saying that, it's not good news.

Good. As long as it looks like we are conducting fair/honest business, then we'll have to do what we have to do.

[bagwell368]

If Napoli falls through:

On top if LaRoche & Swisher in FA there is:

Thome
Berkman

A Berkman/Sands platoon could be more productive than LaRoche and much cheaper (so we could afford a SP?). Berkman would struggle to play over 100 games in the field, but coming off the bench as a PH/1B replacement and being pinch hit for could lower his load a good deal.

Thome wants to keep playing, he's right at the end, but by all accounts a great teammate, and should come cheap. So Thome/Sands is also possible (but only 8 games at 1B since the start of 2006) means he'd likely be quite poor with the glove (nice Ortiz insurance).

The advantage of these two moves is that they are cheap (Thome was paid $1.25M last year; Berkman $12M but he's coming way down this year if he even gets an offer), and we get to see iff Sands can harness his power and be a real hitter.

[grandsalami]

^^ If you read the Rosenthal article he actually goes into the dynamics of the Napoli market in the wake of his issue with the Sox and specifically mentions the comments of some MLBPA-type who says the Sox are justified in their caution. If an MLBPA guy is saying that, it's not good news.

also remember JD drew contract took 50+ days to finilze

[Nomar]

Napoli has no leverage here, so whatever happens is for the best at this point. He isn't the only option out there.

[Bo Sox Fan]

I'm all for Berkman.

Could he not play a little left field as well? Even if he was only relied upon for 10-15 games out there? Kind of a super sub at 1B/LF/DH/PH.

There's nothing to question about signing this guy at all other than his 'drive' to play for 1 more season.

[Nomar]

I'm all for Berkman.

Could he not play a little left field as well? Even if he was only relied upon for 10-15 games out there? Kind of a super sub at 1B/LF/DH/PH.

There's nothing to question about signing this guy at all other than his 'drive' to play for 1 more season.

injuries too

[bagwell368]

I'm all for Berkman.

Could he not play a little left field as well? Even if he was only relied upon for 10-15 games out there? Kind of a super sub at 1B/LF/DH/PH.

There's nothing to question about signing this guy at all other than his 'drive' to play for 1 more season.

His legs are a mess. LF might be easier on him then 1B. He has a heck of an OBP bat, even though his power went with his legs. I'd be happy with him for a minimal contract. But the over/under for him in games played on the field must be like 78.

[Nomar]

His power is still there. 2012 too small of a sample size to say his power went with his legs IMO.

[bagwell368]

His power is still there. 2012 too small of a sample size to say his power went with his legs IMO.

I think we can:

HR% & SLG starting with 2006, general decline overall as could be expected, but big drops in 2010 and 2012 matched by a drop in defense since 2009.

7.0% - .621
5.1% - .510
4.4% - .567
4.4% - .509
2.9% - .413
5.3% - .547
2.1% - .444

OTOH his OBP remained much more constant:

.420
.386
.420
.399
.368
.412
.381

He'll be 37 in February. No more .567 or even .510 SLG for Berkman IMO, but very possibly a .381 OBP.

[RedSoxtober]

Yeah it is pretty ugly out there. I am frustrated with this situation. If the hip is that bad, Napoli can't afford to walk away as we can still offer a lot of $$ up front, and it shouldn't be that hard to finish up. If it isn't THAT bad, just go forward. I'd rather have $13 million in dead weight in the third year, than sign Swisher to 4 years and give up a daft pick, lose a pick for Laroche, or give up prospects in a trade with a jacked up asking price because of the pathetic FA market.

They'll come to an agreement eventually because of the FA market ramifications of NOT coming to a deal. They want to protect themselves, though, and that's a reasonable thing to do as well. $13M in dead money two years from now might be the difference between signing/keeping a big name and not.

If Napoli falls through:

On top if LaRoche & Swisher in FA there is:

Thome
Berkman

A Berkman/Sands platoon could be more productive than LaRoche and much cheaper (so we could afford a SP?). Berkman would struggle to play over 100 games in the field, but coming off the bench as a PH/1B replacement and being pinch hit for could lower his load a good deal.

I'd rather go the latter route. I'd hate to give up a top second round pick to NYY for Swisher. Moreover, there are some more interesting names on the FA horizon.

[papipapsmanny]

I mean even if they were through the language I would be all for signing Berkman for LF anyways, and to spot 1B every now and then.

I am not nearly as high on the Kalish/Gomes Platoon as everyone else.

I hope Napoli can get worked out and that it isn't something major. I really think he can beast in Fenway. He is like Ross on Roids in Fenway

[Bama Sox]

The Napoli deal would've fallen apart by now if it were destined to. Both sides obviously want each other and despite the hiccup, we shouldn't worry. Unlike most other situations similar to this, there has (immaculately) been very little info leaking out of each party, there fore, the intrigue is sky-high. At the same time, too much blabber from Sox or Napoli and who knows where we are today?

Whether it be waiting for Doctor's or re-working contract wording...It's all gonna be good in due time.

[bagwell368]

Bye bye Swisher - 4 years $56M to the Indians.

[Bama Sox]

Bye bye Swisher - 4 years $56M to the Indians.

We'd have made a bigger play for Swisher if signing him didn't mean forfeiting a draft pick to the Yankees.

[wolf82]

We'd have made a bigger play for Swisher if signing him didn't mean forfeiting a draft pick to the Yankees.

+1

IMO Indians over paid for him.