Jul 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) hits a double during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Boston Red Sox won 12-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: DFA – Mike Napoli
Dustin Pedroia is back with an offensive vengeance slashing .306/.367/.452 and with some old-time Pedroia power. Then another injury and, thankfully, not to his hand, but leg. A little rest and rehab and back to irritating pest status in a few weeks or less. What to do with Brock Holt?
Holt is not nosediving as in 2014 and has performed reasonably well at second ……and third….and short….and the outfield. You just do not – John Farrell – sit a .300 hitter with a Mensa rating in baseball smarts.
The solution is a simple and a costly one: DFA Napoli. An 8M gift to Napoli and another team hoping for some type of Napoli second half resurrection. The Red Sox have toyed with a mix and match approach at first base and that may just be greasing the skids for Napoli.
Approaching 34-years-old the affable Napoli just may have reached a status of being sent to the baseball boneyard of players who just saw their career spiral in the wrong direction.
With Jackie Bradley and Rusney Castillo a 50 mile trip away the moving Holt to the outfield is not critical, especially with the emergence of Alejandro De Aza.