Apr 22, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) hits a grand slam home run in the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Napoli is leading the majors with 25 runs batted in and is currently hitting nine points above his career average. While his batting average of .268 is satisfactory, it’s what Napoli is doing with men on base that is giving the Sox such a lift. He’s hitting .320 with runners on base, .357 with runners in scoring position. In short, Napoli is Boston’s early season Captain Clutch.

While he continues his not entirely unexpected bashing ways at the plate, the bonus Boston is getting is in the field. There were doubts after his acquisition that Napoli could be Boston’s every day first baseman and that even if he filled the role he would be solid defensively.

Once he knew catching would essentially be off the table due to both the hip injury discovered during his physical and the acquisition of former Braves backup catcher David Ross, he worked hard during spring training to focus on first base. Manager John Farrell noted that he was impressed early on with Napoli’s work ethic and footwork around the bag. Napoli’s professionalism and hard work are paying off.

To date, Napoli’s fielding percentage is a snappy 1.000. He has dug a number of errant throws out of the dirt and athletically leaped to get balls wide and high while applying sweep tags to get the runners. Napoli’s solid start has been a big part of Boston’s early success. When you consider that Jonny Gomes, Will Middlebrooks, David Ross, Stephen Drew and Jackie Bradley Jr. are all batting less than .200 (some way less than .200) his contributions are further amplified.

Now, about that one year deal…

Feb 17, 2013; Fort Myers FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) poses during photo day at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Once he became a member of the Red Sox he wasn’t cleared for full workouts or playing time until this past Friday night. Throughout spring training when everyone else was sharpening their toolbox for game play, he spent time on his knees fielding grounders and performing boring, repetitive drills. He ran – a little – and stretched and then ran some more. He also took the extra time to work with the Boston coaching staff to dig in and start learning the finer points of first base since in his past he was primarily a catcher who split time at first base but has never been considered a wizard around the bag. He only started fully running the base paths last week.

Napoli says he has never felt any discomfort from the disease that limits proper blood supply to both hips. But as with any injury there is concern about full on performance in game situations. Last week Napoli was declared ready to go.

Yes, Friday’s game was a spring training affair against a not very good Pittsburgh Pirates team but for Napoli and the Sox there was a lot on the line.  As happens often enough in baseball with players in situations like this, somehow the ball just seems to find them.

In the first inning Pittsburgh leadoff hitter Darren Ford pushed a ball just past Jon Lester. It was in that no man’s land of too slow for the second baseman to get and too far past the pitcher. Only the first baseman could get to it and then needs to make an athletic play with the pitcher unable to cover. Napoli scooped up the ball and barely won a footrace to beat Ford to the bag. The point is Napoli sprinted and won the footrace. Hip 1, injury 0.

After Jacoby Ellsbury singled to lead off Boston’s first, followed by two walks to Dustin Pedroia and Shane Victorinio, Napoli scalded and offering from Pittsburgh hurler Jeff Locke that hit Locke in the ankle and ricocheted sharply into short left field near third baseman Pedro Alvarez for a base hit. Sox 1, Pirates 0. Hip 2, injury 0.

Napoli went one for two, got an RBI and scored a run en route to a 5-2 Boston win. Did he do anything special? No. Was doing something special the point of the outing? Absolutely not. Mike Napoli looked like Boston’s every day first baseman and for now that’s enough.

What is hip?
Tell me, tell me, if you think you know.
What is hip?
If you’re really hip, 
the question, “Will it show?”
You’re into a hip trip.
Maybe hipper than hip.
What is hip?
- What Is Hip, Tower of Power

Feb 17, 2013; Fort Myers FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) poses during photo day at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After a protracted contract negotiation with the Red Sox when it was discovered that he had avascular necrosis in both hips, Napoli has been taking medication to stem the tide of the progressive disease and working out to get ready for live play.

When spring training started, Napoli was restricted to batting practice and limited fielding drills but has now been running the bases at JetBlue Park. ”It wasn’t a full-go, but it felt good to just run and make the turns,” Napoli told the Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham. “It felt good just running,” Napoli said. “Just progress from there. I had a little conversation about it at the end, I want to get close to that full burst from first to third.”

Although Napoli understands the caution the Red Sox have taken with his conditioning he says that he continues to feel no pain or discomfort from his condition.

“It feels good. I expect to be fine. I’m just going through the steps of what they want me to do,” Napoli said as he continued his conversation with Abraham. “I’m fine with it, as long as I’m ready for Opening Day, which I should be easily. It’s a long spring, I’ll just get myself in shape and get ready to go.”

Although the Red Sox have options at first base, there is pressure for Napoli to have a solid season. Sox farmhand Mauro Gomez and the recently acquired Lyle Overbay and Mike Carp can all play first base. While Napoli is hard at work boning up on what will likely be his only position in 2013, with rare catching exceptions, his health will determine if the Red Sox are solid at first base. Frankly, even with Napoli’s defensive shortcomings, none of the other three are as good as Napoli if he’s healthy.

Perhaps next weekend will be the end of one journey for Napoli and the Red Sox and the beginning of a smoother sailing.

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

Avascular necrosis – also called Osteonecrosis, bone infarction, aseptic necrosis or ischemic bone necrosis – is quite simply bone death caused by poor blood supply, most commonly affecting either the shoulder or hip. If left untreated, the joint will deteriorate and degenerate into severe arthritis. Avascular necrosis is the same condition that cut short football and baseball great Bo Jackson‘s career.

I have a special personal interest in Napoli’s condition in that as a child I had a condition diagnosed as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a juvenile and potentially more serious form of Napoli’s condition. After a year and a half in a brace, crutches and physical therapy I experienced a full recovery and have lived a very active and normal life as an adult. Napoli’s condition, however, is not easily solved by rest and therapy. Treatment for avascular necrosis can include total hip replacement (THR) or metal on metal hip resurfacing (MOM – experimental). Other treatments include core decompression, where internal bone pressure is relieved by drilling a hole into the bone, and a living bone chip and an electrical device to stimulate new vascular growth are implanted; and the free vascular fibular graft (FVFG), in which a portion of the fibula, along with its blood supply, is removed and transplanted in the femoral head (source, Wikipedia).

“As of now, I don’t have any symptoms from it,” Napoli told MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “I’m on medication to help me get through it. I haven’t had any symptoms from it. I played with it last year, and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to be there Opening Day and be a starter Opening Day.”

In the same article, Sox GM Ben Cherington said, ”Obviously, we know he can catch. He’s done that a lot in the past. He’s been good at it and we would trust him back there. For a couple reasons we’re focusing right now on first base. No. 1, because that’s obviously our primary team need. That’s where the biggest opening is. And No. 2, we do feel like it makes sense in the short term to allow Mike to focus on that position to take a bit of a load, or a bit of stress, off the body, off the lower body in particular.”

The causes of Osteonecrosis are wide and varied; trauma, vascular compression, sickle cell anemia and deep diving to alcoholism and steroid use/therapy treatments are just a few of the possible causes.

Napoli, a power pull hitter is made for Fenway. He has a .307 average, nine homers, 20 RBIs and a 1.138 on-base plus slugging percentage in 75 career at-bats at Fenway Park. To make room for Napoli on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-hander Chris Carpenter for assignment.

What is hip?
Tell me, tell me, if you think you know.
What is hip?
If you’re really hip, 
the question, “Will it show?”
You’re into a hip trip.
Maybe hipper than hip.
What is hip?
- What Is Hip, Tower of Power

August 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli (25) hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Beltre is the perfect example of this philosophy, but Mike Napoli could very well be the next piece in it. Napoli is coming off a career worst year which saw him hit only .227/.343/.469  in 108 games while struggling with knee and hip injuries. After signing Napoli to a 3 year/$39 million contract, Napoli’s hip issues came up in the mandatory physical and the two sides had to re-negotiate a deal. When they finally decided upon the new deal yesterday, it was an incredibly different contract– a 1 year/$5 million deal with incentives that could bring it up to $13 million.

It’s easy to say that the Red Sox won this deal by a long shot. It’s highly possible, even likely, that Napoli will have an excellent season hitting the ball off and over the wall in left field, as long as he can stay healthy. In limited time in Fenway Park over his career, Napoli has batted over .300 with excellent power. I’m not sure if I’d count on the batting average staying up there, but there’s no doubt that the power will be right there.

Through his career, Napoli has hit a home run on slightly over 20% of his fly balls. Playing half of his games at Fenway Park, I would even expect that already impressive number to grow. We can only hope that Napoli will follow in Beltre’s footsteps– however, if he can stay healthy it’s far from out of the question. It’s clear that the Red Sox won in these re-negotiations, now we’ll see how Napoli performs.

Lowell first came to the Red Sox as a throw in. Besides giving up a package of prospects that included Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez, taking on Lowell’s remaining two years and $18 million was a necessary cost in acquiring then budding ace Josh Beckett. Considering Lowell was coming off the worst season of his career in which he hit .236/.298/.360/.658 with only eight home runs and 58 RBI, this was a very expensive risk. The club even acquired the immortal Hee-Seop Choi as insurance in case Lowell’s 2005 was a sign of things to come.

October 2, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Shane Victorino (8) advances to third on a triple in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lowell would prove the critics wrong, playing 307 games and hitting .305/.359/.488/.847 with 40 home runs and 200 RBI in 2006-2007. His swing was tailor-made for Fenway, he became known as a “doubles machine” (84 in those two seasons), and it all culminated with a World Series MVP.

In 2012, Shane Victorino had the worst season of his career (.255/.321/.383/.704 with eleven homers and 55 RBI’s). Those numbers are actually better than what Lowell put up in 05. Prior to that, Victorino was a dynamic player who’s capable of double digit homers and triples, 25+ doubles, 20+ steals. He’s only 32, the same age Lowell was in his first season with the Red Sox. Unlike Lowell, he’s already proven he can handle a big market. Now with his nagging hand injury behind him, as well as the stress of pending free agency, Victorino can get back to being the dynamic player he was with the Phillies. Here’s hoping Red Sox fans will be saying “Cody Who?” after 2013.

After this feel-good story, why such a long wait for Napoli? Well…

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mike Napoli (25) bats during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. The Angels beat the Rangers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

After he became a free agent after the 2007 season, Lowell would eventually re-sign with the Red Sox for three years $37.5 million. In the 2008 season, Lowell would start to suffer hip ailments. He tried playing through the pain, playing in 113 games putting up a .274/.338/.461/.798 with 17 homers and 73 RBI’s. But the pain would be too overwhelming. The Red Sox would shut Lowell down in the postseason where they would eventually lose to the Rays in seven games in the ALCS. He had a similar season in 2009, playing 119 games with a .290/.337/.474/.811 with 17 homers and 75 RBI’s. Lowell would play a reduced role in his final season in 2010, playing 73 games (only four at third base) with a .239/.307/.367/.674 line with five homers and 26 RBI before calling it a career.

The original deal with Napoli was a similar one to what Lowell got in the 07-08 offseason. When concerns over his hip came up in the results of his physical, the club sighted a recent player with a similar problem. They eventually would agree to a new deal for only one season. Wise move by the Red Sox in case Napoli’s hip condition doesn’t improve. Wise move by Napoli as well considering he would’ve gotten even less going back on the market as damaged goods.

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

At a snail’s pace, the Boston Red Sox and Mike Napoli are inching toward a deal that Red Sox officials now say will be consummated sometime next week.

ESPN reported today that Napoli and the Sox were working on a one-year deal for an as yet undisclosed salary. Why is Boston working this deal so hard? If David Ortiz and Mauro Gomez were your existing first base possibilities wouldn’t you be working it hard too?

The two parties agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal that fell apart after Napoli’s physical purportedly revealed a problem with his hip.

This has been a painful journey but Boston’s won’t get fooled again attitude in the wake of the Carl Crawford and John Lackey deals is to be commended. How sure is Boston that the deal with happen? They have invited former Cardinals minor leaguer Mark Hamilton a big left-handed hitting first baseman to big-league camp.

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 

Could Mike Morse be Boston’s first baseman. August 16, 2011; Washington, D.C., USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Mike Morse (right) gets congratulated by outfielder Jayson Werth (left) after Morse

The negotiations have dragged on while a number of free agent first baseman have come and gone, most recently the Washington Nationals Adam LaRoche who signed a two-year $24 million guaranteed contract with  $10 million coming in the first year, $12 million in the second and a $2 million mutual buyout option for 2015.

As each domino falls Boston loses more leverage with Napoli, leaving them fewer options. Ben Cherington told MLB.com’s Ian Browne today, “We’ve had dialogue. It’s one of those situations, out of respect to Mike and the process, [where] I’m not going to get into detail. Whenever we’re talking and there’s dialogue, it means we’re hopeful of being able to do something, but we just don’t know yet. We’ll see how it plays out.”

In the meantime, the Red Sox need to continue to hedge their bets. When the LaRoche deal was in question and it looked like he was going to walk, the Nats tapped outfielder Mike Morse (.291/.321/.470/.791) as the man who would move to first base. Now that LaRoche is back in the fold, Boston should continue to talk with Washinton, now about Morse.

“It’s fair to say as you sort of get deeper into the winter, the free agents start to go off the board,” said Cherington. “You can look at trades and other ways to do things. It remains a focus. We’re still hoping we can do something to improve ourselves in that area before we get to Fort Myers.”

With only Mauro Gomez the only player on the Sox roster able to play first base, the pressure is increasing to get a deal done. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Ben, you’re on the clock.

Here’s why : can’t make a deal with the preacher, oh yeah, yeah
And I can’t make a bargain in heaven, now
- Deal  With The Preacher, Bad Company

October 1, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) scores past Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli (right) on a sacrifice fly by Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss (not pictured) during the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

I’m calling this one. The Sox deal with Mike Napoli is dead. Do I have verification? No. Is it official that the deal is off? Hardly. Are all the stars aligned and all reports pointing to a collapse of the deal? Undoubtedly.  Mr. Swisher, Mr LaRoche, please stand by for a phone call.

It’s been nearly three weeks since Boston and Napoli agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal, pending a physical. Therein lies the catch; the physical. Multiple reports have increasingly and with laser focus cited Napoli’s physical and an issue with his hip as the hangup. Apparently in this case, Napoli is not hip.

Boston may still have interest in Napoli but appears to be justifiably reducing their risk. The smart money would be on both fewer years and less money if a deal with Napoli is to be struck at all. I applaud Cherington and company’s rigor regarding this deal. His physical didn’t pass the sniff test and they’ve stuck to their guns. Had King Theo still been at the helm the deal would have been done already and the team would have been onto another orgy of overspending. I like Cherington’s approach. He’s listening.

Oct 8, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) bats against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning of the 2012 NLDS at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 18, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher (33) at bat in front of Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird (9) during game four of the 2012 ALCS at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

If Boston brass is really smart they’ve already opened up back channel negotiations with both Nick Swisher and Adam LaRoche, who are both still on the Free Agent board. With Josh Hamilton off the board and increasing value for a first baseman becoming a premium Boston’s pursuit of either option will most likely mean over payment and/or additional years. Let’s take a closer look.

Adam Laroche
Age: 33
Years in Majors: 9
Career Batting Average: .268
Career On Base Percentage: .338
Career Slugging Percentage: .482
Career On Base Plus Slugging Percentage: .820
2012 Salary: $8 million
Synopsis: LaRoche, bats and throws left, was a member of the Red Sox for six games in 2009 before being traded to Atlanta, where he tore it up in 57 games (.325). Even so, LaRoche has been with two other clubs since then – Arizona and Washington. He has decent power (21 home run average per year) and is a solid fielding first baseman (.993 career fielding percentage).

Nick Swisher
Age: 32
Years in Majors: 9
Career Batting Average: .256
Career On Base Percentage: .361
Career Slugging Percentage: .467
Career On Base Plus Slugging Percentage: .828
2012 Salary: $10.2 million
Synopsis: Swisher, a switch hitting lefty, has been with the Yankees since 2009. He can play outfield and first baseman. He has a little better pop than LaRoche (23 home run average per year) but is more suspect in the field (.985 career fielding percentage).

LaRoche and Swisher are a statistical dead heat so it really comes down to fit. In short, it’s Swisher, especially with the likes of Jonny Gomes patrolling left field.  Swisher gets an advantage as a switch hitter and that fact that he’s played in a pressure cooker similar to Boston. I’d be all for a Swisher move if it wasn’t for that nasty 2012 playoff stat of .167/.235/.233/.469. What the hell. It was one very bad seven game stretch and it wasn’t like he didn’t have company nor was the worst of the lot. Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson all had worse post-seasons.

In any event, if Boston’s playing it smart Laroche and Swisher’s agent’s should be on speed dial at this point.

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

Today the Dallas Morning News hinted at what many of the whispers have been saying – that Napoli had an issue with his physical last week. That report is not yet confirmed but the smart money is on just that as the two parties head back to the negotiation table with Boston most likely looking for fewer years to reduce their exposure. Sources close to the action told The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo that the team was concerned about Napoli’s hip or leg, possibly both.

Meanwhile MassLive.com is reporting that the deal is falling apart. Boston is playing hardball this year after getting burned in the Carl Crawford and John Lackey deals. Can you blame them? The new Cherington regime is taking a much closer look before opening the checkbook. Applause all the way around on that point.

Expect the Napoli yea or nay negotiation to happen quickly since few even marginal first basemen are left to fill the void if he’s not signed. If Boston walks away from the Napoli deal look for them to go hard after Nick Swisher, who is healthy, will command more money than he’s worth and Boston will probably pay it at this point.

So we change partners
Time to change partners
You must change partners
Again
- Change Partners, Stephen Stills 

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 

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mike Napoli (25) bats during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. The Angels beat the Rangers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

If you read the article from November 15 you can see that I was generally supportive of the move. That was before Mark Reynold’s was non-tendered by the Orioles last Friday. Circumstances change but it seems Boston’s perspective didn’t. They went after and signed Napoli to a three year $39 million contract on the heels of Napoli’s worst year ever. Last time I checked 39 divided by 3 is 13.

Napoli will get $13 million a year from Boston after earning $9.4 million in Texas during 2012 and sucking (a .227/.343/.469/.821 slash line as opposed to his career .259/.356/.507/.863 stats?

OK, so he didn’t really suck but his numbers were down across the board. To quote Michael Strahan, “C’mon man!” I hope I’m proven wrong but right now this doesn’t pass the sniff test.

Napoli was looking for four years but only got three so an argument could be made that the Sox held their ground. Still, I have to question if Boston management is quickly taking leave of their senses and the compass that they set a month ago is already veering off course. Three years can be a long time if you get a player on a slide. Meanwhile, my sources in New England say that the deal is being ripped from Maine to Rhode Island. Mr. Napoli, welcome to playing for the Red Sox.

On the plus slide, Napoli is a career .306, 7 HR, 17 RBI hitter at Fenway. He’s a righty with a natural uppercut swing, which usually spells good things for hitters in a Boston uniform. The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo is reporting that Napoli will spend about 75 percent of his time at first base next year.

It looks like the White Sox will need a catcher since it appears that A.J. Pierzynski is going to walk. And the second half of the crystal ball prediction says…

Like a dull knife just ain’t cuttin’
We’re just talkin’ a lot and sayin’ nothing
Just sayin’ nothing, just sayin’ nothing
- Talkin’ Loud and Saying Nothin’, James Brown

Mike Napoli hits an RBI double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

As it stands the Red Sox have 4 catchers for next season, Napoli, David Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Ryan Lavarnway. However, the only first baseman on the team is Mauro Gomez. It been reported that Napoli will primarily play first while playing a little catcher. But doesn’t it seem like Napoli’s value is wasted at first? Napoli had a .227/.343/.469 line last season with 24 home runs and 56 RBI, the season before was .320/.414/.631 with 30 & 75. Although last season was a drop off, it was great numbers from a catcher, but with an OPS of .812, he’d be tied for 6th for AL first basemen (between Adrian Gonzalez and Mark Teixiera), for AL catchers he’d be third.

So what’s the best way to get value from him? I’d say to keep two catchers on the Roster, Napoli and Ross. Try to trade Salty, or Lavarnway to sure up other holes on the team. If there aren’t many options out there for first base the Sox could keep Salty, Ross, and Napoli on the roster with Salty and Napoli sharing time at first and behind the plate with Ross backing up at catcher. If that’s the case Larvarnway should be dealt,  if they could find a package including Lavarnway to bring in a shortstop or a young arm, that would be ideal.

It now seems like the Red Sox are out on Adam LaRoche, since the reports say that they’d be satisfied with Napoli at first. They do still appear to be in on Shane Victorino, Cody Ross, and Nick Swisher. Hear it from me, Napoli is a great offensive option at catcher but he’s not the answer at first. Worst case scenario they’d need to bring in a Swisher or someone to split time at first and can play an outfield position as well that way Napoli’s bat can be behind the plate as much as possible but when he’s needed to be played at first the lineup won’t drop off too much.

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mike Napoli (25) bats during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. The Angels beat the Rangers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Mike Napoli has already spoken with the Seattle Mariners and his present employer, the Texas Rangers. Up next is the team that most seems to need his services. Napoli will reportedly meet with the Red Sox over this weekend. According to ESPN, Napoli’s desire to ink a four-year deal may prove to be a major sticking point if all of teams he is considering, especially a thrice-bitten, twice shy Red Sox management team.

With Adrian Gonzalez off to LA and James Loney appearing ever more to not be a long-term answer, the Red Sox have a gaping hole to fill at first base and Napoli is emerging as the best fit. He’s mashed at Fenway his entire career, is coming off an sub par year which means his value may be had at a bargain and he can switch between first base and catching duties if Boston decides to unload some of their depth behind the dish.

Napoli, 31, was down in every statistically significant category in 2012 with the exception of his catching fielding percentage, which was slightly better than his career average.

As much as Boston needs Napoli, they might have to walk away from the deal if Napoli won’t budge from his four-year demand. Otherwise, they could be setting the wrong precedent to a fan base that feels hoodwinked over the past five years.

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-US PRESSWIRE

One may wonder why Napoli would even be a great target after a disappointing 2012 season that saw him bat .227/.343/.469 with 24 home runs and 56 RBIs. For starters, he’s been an absolute beast in Fenway Park through his career, batting .306/.397/.710 with 7 home runs in just 17 games. His right-handed power plays in in a big way, as he plays pepper with that Green Monster out in left field. Playing there on an everyday basis, Napoli would very likely reach the 30 home run plateau and maybe even pass it.

Beyond the obvious offensive benefits Napoli brings to the table, he’s also pretty versatile defensively. He’s an average defensive catcher who can also play an average (or slightly below) first base. The Red Sox have an obvious hole at first base right now, but Napoli has said he would rather play catcher regularly. If the Red Sox were to sign Napoli, this would almost certainly set up a trade of Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

All told, Napoli would be a very valuable asset for the Red Sox for a year or two. Players of his ilk tend to falter a bit once they hit their mid-30′s. However, even as a middle-aged catcher/first baseman, he’ll still probably hit for plenty of power. The question is if that power truly demands a four year contract.

If I were GM of the Red Sox, I would try to pay Napoli slightly more annually for three years. If he still refuses, perhaps I’d toss in a mutual option after the third year on a front-loaded contract. Hopefully, he would sign for a 3 year/$36 million deal with a $9 million mutual option for his age 34 season. I’d love Napoli to come to Boston, and it would be a move which makes sense for both sides as Napoli could hit endless home runs over that monster. Hopefully, they don’t wind up paying too much for him, but if they do, they can still afford it.

Mike Napoli, a potential masher in Boston. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

After consulting recently with my crystal ball, it has become clear to me that Mike Napoli is coming to Boston and Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be traded. All signs point to the affirmative. What signs? My gut tells me so.

No, Napoli will not be catching regularly. Newly acquired free agent David Ross will be catching. He hits better than either Salty or Ryan Lavarnway and is a better defensive catcher. Napoli will come to Boston as insurance at first base and can easily semi-regular start with Ross if Salty is traded, which will also happen. After a sub par 2012 Napoli can be had on the cheap.

Napoli also fits in Boston because they will need protection from a power outage if Cody Ross indeed ends up in another uniform, a prospect that becomes more plausible as each days passes and he doesn’t ink a deal with Boston.

In bagging Napoli Boston will exercise two other important strategic moves. First, they stop him from hitting against them. Napoli has a 1.075 OPS in 38 career games against the Red Sox. He’s also banged 15 home runs against Boston, his most against any non-AL West club. Second, they get him more plate appearances at Fenway Park. At Fenway Napoli has a 1.107 OPS in 19 career games that includes four doubles and seven home runs. Finally, Napoli slugs at a righteous .710 career percentage at Fenway, his highest at any park in which he’s played at least 19 games.

With those stats and all that flexibility, why would Napoli not be a great fit in Fenway?

I don’t have a need to be the best
Don’t want to be just like the rest
Just stay who I am
Just an ordinary middle man
- Middle Man, Living Colour

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Larry The Boss won’t find an answer in-house; he has no MLB-ready 1b prospects in the farm system and former Dodger 1b/OF Jerry Sands and Mauro Gomez may not be ready yet, except as a platoon.

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