What’s The Holdup? Sox Truck Out Victorino, So Where’s Napoli?

It hasn’t quite become surreal but the questions surrounding Mike Napoli‘s introduction to Red Sox nation are growing more insistent.

Sep 19, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli (25) during a first inning at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

While Shane Victorino put on a Red Sox jersey today when he was introduced to the press and Red Sox Nation, Napoli’s status- signed a day before Victorino – remains in limbo. It is being hinted that Napoli’s physical may have revealed a situation that is giving both parties cause for concern, enough so that Sox management may want to tweak the contract verbiage.

Sox GM Ben Cherington acknowledged the situation Thursday, but didn’t reveal details specific to the holdup. Talking with mlb.com’s Evan Drelich, Cherington said, “It’s just a situation where we’re working through some things in regards to another player. And until, as has been our policy, until every sort of aspect of the agreement’s resolved, we’re not in a position to comment on it publicly.” We’re not in a position to comment on it publicly. Hmmm…

"Throughout his career Napoli has only reached a better than 115-game plateau once – 140 games in 2010. Part of it has been playing time opportunities but other years can be attributed to a balky quad, which has landed him on the DL in each of the last two seasons with the Rangers."

The way this deal is playing out it’s making me start to feel ever more like Boston needs to hold onto Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

And I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
– Won’t Get Fooled Again, The Who