Over the Monster - The Red Sox Sign Free Agent Mike NapoliBut Can He Pitch?https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/32934/otm-fv.jpg2013-01-23T10:00:06-05:00http://www.overthemonster.com/rss/stream/33997172013-01-23T10:00:06-05:002013-01-23T10:00:06-05:00Mike Napoli's hip condition finally identified
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>The Red Sox and Mike Napoli renegotiating his contract makes a lot more sense now that the cause is known</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> signed <span>Mike Napoli</span> at the start of the winter meetings, all the way back in early December. The transaction did not become official, though, thanks to a discovery in his physical, one that showed a problem in his hip. For well over a month, the precise reason why the contract was delayed -- and was in the process of being renegotiated -- was kept under wraps. Now, though, after Napoli's deal is officially official instead of just presumed to be done, his hip condition has been unveiled.</p>
<p>Napoli has avascular necrosis (also known as osteonecrosis) a condition that other notable athletes have also dealt with. In essence, blood is in short supply to a specific area of the body, and it causes bone tissue -- and eventually the bone -- to die. The end of two-sport star Bo Jackson's career was brought along more swiftly thanks to contracting the condition, while NFL quarterback Brett Favre managed to stick around so long that most of society wishes he had not. (In Favre's case, the condition was known about since before he joined the Packers all the way back in 1992.) The takeaway is that, while Napoli has been identified as suffering from avascular necrosis, it doesn't mean he's automatically going to feel the effects of it while in a Red Sox uniform. It could hit by spring training, it could pop up in the second year of a deal, or Napoli might feel its effects 10 years after retiring from a long and productive career. </p>
<p>Boston's desire to cut back on the length of the deal while they figure out how to keep Napoli in the best possible shape is understandable in that circumstance. It was unknown prior to the physical with the Red Sox that this condition existed -- the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> didn't unearth this information <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2013/01/napoli_suffers.html" target="_blank">in their own physical of Napoli</a>, so it's something completely new to deal with. Moving to first base full-time, one would think, should help the former catcher. In addition, <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/" target="_blank">Nick Cafardo reports</a> that Napoli will also receive treatment from Dr. Joseph Lane, a bone disease specialist. </p>
<p>It's unknown where Napoli contracted avascular necrosis, as it can come about through multiple causes. All it takes is something as simple as a blood clot or inflammation to get the ball rolling, while more complicated problems like alcoholism or radiation therapy could also kick start the process. Even something like receiving cortisone shots could bring about the condition, a fact that likely means that if Napoli experiences hip pain, they will not be an option to combat it.</p>
<p>If Napoli is able to avoid a hip injury that lands him on the disabled list in his one-year, $5 million deal with the Red Sox, he will receive $13 million instead, and will also likely become a candidate for a qualifying offer for 2014.</p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/1/23/3906880/mike-napoli-hip-condition-boston-red-soxMarc Normandin2013-01-17T09:14:04-05:002013-01-17T09:14:04-05:00Bradford: Red Sox, Mike Napoli Reach Agreement
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<p>The Red Sox have brought Mike Napoli aboard, again</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2013/01/17/source-mike-napoli-red-sox-reach-agreement/">According to WEEI's Rob Bradford</a>, the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> and (still) free agent <span>Mike Napoli</span> have agreed to a contract. Again. This time, though, it's expected that it will actually result in an official deal. The difference is that, rather than add in language about Napoli's hip, which after his physical, scuttled the original three-year, $39 million offer, he will instead play on a one-year contract for 2013.</p>
<p>Boston will give Napoli just $5 million in guaranteed money for 2013, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/291928058431164416" target="_blank">according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman</a>. There <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/291929501313679360" target="_blank">are also incentives</a>: Alex Speier reports they can bring the deal to its original $13 million value, <a href="http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2013/01/17/source-mike-napoli-red-sox-reach-agreement/" target="_blank">assuming he doesn't spend time on the disabled list for his hip</a>. Basically, this is the Red Sox asking Napoli to prove he's healthy, at a low-risk cost to them. If they have to pay $13 million in the end, it also means they had a full, healthy season of Napoli. At least, in regards to his hip -- the rest is just your normal injury risk for any player.</p>
<p>Now, this doesn't mean the Red Sox only have him for one season. If he proves healthy, Boston could easily submit a qualifying offer to Napoli next year in order to limit his market and get a shot at renegotiating with him, or, at worst, they would get a compensatory draft pick out of it should he go elsewhere. The qualifying offer threshold will be over this off-season's $13.3 million, as it's based on the average of the top 125 contracts in the game, but a one-year overpay for Napoli is worth the risk, especially when the, in the end, it will likely align with what the Red Sox planned to pay over the course of 2013 and 2014, anyway.</p>
<p>If he isn't healthy, and doesn't produce, well, at least they were, in a way, protected from having him on the roster for three years, as was their intention that held up this deal in the first place.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8851039/mike-napoli-boston-red-sox-working-one-year-deal-sources-say">Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston was reporting</a> on Wednesday night that the two sides were working on a one-year deal for a lesser average annual value. </p>
<p>The trade of <span>Michael Morse</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> likely sped up the process for both sides, as Napoli had one fewer hypothetical landing spot, and the Red Sox were without a player they had inquired on. Given the price for Morse, though -- it would have cost Boston <a target="_blank" href="http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2013/01/16/source-red-sox-had-interest-in-michael-morse-but-price-was-too-steep/">one of their trio of top pitching prospects</a>, given what the Mariners paid to acquire him -- settling on a one-year deal for Napoli instead is preferable. In fact, the Sox never got that far in talks with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ScottLauber/status/291714268519350274">according to Scott Lauber</a>, likely for this reason. Luckily for them, too, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ESPNBoston/status/291914027070799872">Napoli reportedly chose Boston over a return to the </a>Texas Rangers when given the chance.</p>
<p>Besides price, expectations for how Napoli will do in Fenway Park are reason enough to prefer him to Morse. Napoli has hit incredibly well in limited time in Boston, but more importantly, <a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2012/12/3/3722336/boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-fenway-park-free-agency-winter-meetings/in/3399717" target="_blank">his swing and approach profile to be monstrous in that venue</a>. While he's not going to slug .710 over a full season like he has in his 73 plate appearances in town, there's a very good chance Napoli has an excellent season. Now, too, the Red Sox get to enjoy that without having to worry about if Napoli's production will fall off as he leaves his early-30s and enters his mid-30s, <a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2012/11/23/3681846/boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-free-agent-rumors" target="_blank">as so many players of his type have before</a>.</p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/1/17/3886320/boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-sign-free-agent-hot-stoveMarc Normandin2013-01-16T11:00:30-05:002013-01-16T11:00:30-05:00Heyman: Napoli Situation Resolved 'By Next Week'
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<p>The long contract saga between the Red Sox and Mike Napoli may finally be coming to an end--for better, or for worse.</p> <p>Jon Heyman brings<a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/21562651/napoli-red-sox-situation-likely-to-be-resolved-by-next-week"> welcome news</a> indeed: the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>' nightmare negotiations with <span>Mike Napoli</span> are expected to conclude by next week.</p>
<p>What's not clear is whether or not it will end with Napoli wearing a Red Sox uniform.</p>
<p>While the hybrid first baseman/catcher was Boston's top target from the first day of free agency, and they seemed ready to move quickly on him, some late-game medical information held up the three-year, $39 million deal they had reportedly agreed to. With Napoli's hip a question mark, the Sox sought to minimize their risk by bringing the deal down to two years--possibly even one--or at least to get some level of insurance into the mix.</p>
<p>There's been little news coming from either side, but now it seems like whatever has been going on behind the scenes is pushing towards a final resolution one way or another. It's not apparent at the moment whether that's because the Sox and Napoli have found some acceptable middle-ground, or because one of the "couple other American League teams" Heyman talks about being involved have decided to up their offer.</p>
<p>Napoli would likely be an excellent fit in Fenway Park, but if he's not going to hold up the Sox can't be careless with their offer. It's unfortunate that the team has had to deal with this long saga in the first place--better Napoli's hip be a perfect picture of health--but it's certainly better than signing a guy for $39 million dollars and then having him spend half of his contract on the disabled list with a problem they missed.</p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/1/16/3882584/red-sox-mike-napoli-rumors-contract-signing-hipBen Buchanan2013-01-08T10:00:08-05:002013-01-08T10:00:08-05:00Boston "Hopeful" Of Finalizing Mike Napoli Deal
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<p>Mike Napoli isn't a Red Sox yet, but he's getting there</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> and <span>Mike Napoli</span> agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract 36 days ago, but as of today, that deal is not official. Reportedly, a problem with Napoli's hip in the physical is the hold up, and the two sides are working to add language that appeases both into the pre-existing agreement.<a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2013/01/red_sox_hopeful.html" target="_blank"> The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham reports</a> that the Red Sox are "hopeful" of getting the deal done.</p>
<p>While this isn't news, at a time when there's nothing official as of yet, and for this length of time, hearing an update that says the opposite of "negotiations are falling apart" is something positive to hold on to by virtue of not being a negative. The Red Sox haven't seriously spoken to other potential first base options, there have been no rumors of trades to bring in a bat, and Napoli's side hasn't exploded contracts with other clubs. Both sides seemingly <i>want</i> to get a deal done, but it just hasn't happened yet. That's frustrating, but it's closer to having Mike Napoli than to not having him. </p>
<p>This isn't the longest delay for an injury-related contract clause in Boston's history, as it took 52 days -- just shy of two full months -- for J.D. Drew's five-year, $70 million deal to be completed. That doesn't make the wait on Napoli any easier, but at least this isn't unprecedented. </p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/1/8/3850522/boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-contract-hip-negotiationMarc Normandin2013-01-02T13:30:14-05:002013-01-02T13:30:14-05:00Lauber: Laroche A "Better Fit" Than Napoli
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<p>Boston still hasn't signed Mike Napoli, but that doesn't mean it's time to look elsewhere</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/boston_red_sox/2013/01/laroche_better_fit_napoli">The Boston Herald's Scott Lauber</a> brings up a few points on Wednesday as to why he thinks the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> should just call it quits on the <span>Mike Napoli</span> negotiations. The central reason is that another first baseman, <span>Adam LaRoche</span>, remains available. What's a little strange, though, is that Lauber essentially defeats the idea that LaRoche is a better fit within the confines of his own piece.</p>
<p>Lauber does have good points in Laroche's favor -- the intention here is not to dismiss his preference for LaRoche out of hand. LaRoche is a more durable player, who, besides missing a significant chunk of 2011 due to shoulder surgery, has averaged 147 games per season over seven full years. Napoli, on the other hand, has spent far less time on the diamond thanks to being a catcher, but also because his list of injuries is significantly longer than that of LaRoche. Not to mention that the reason this deal isn't done yet is because of a hip the Red Sox are concerned enough about that they are reworking the contract language of the as-of-yet unofficial deal.</p>
<p>The other item pointed out is that LaRoche is a fine defensive first baseman, while Napoli, at best, is going to be tolerable. That's meaningful as well, but the question here is whether or not those two positives outweigh the negatives LaRoche would bring, negatives that Lauber himself brings up.</p>
<p>For one, LaRoche is a left-handed hitter, while Napoli is right-handed. Napoli is an excellent fit for Fenway, one who could very well dominate at the plate because of his power to all fields and especially thanks to the presence of the Green Monster in left. Fenway works well for lefties of a certain type, and it likely wouldn't limit LaRoche much because he does hit the ball pretty far -- he averaged 397 feet on homers last year -- but he wouldn't get the same type of boost that Napoli would. There's also the idea that, in a division dominated by left-handed starters, in a division full of other playoff hopefuls, more right-handed power in the lineup is an inherent positive these days.</p>
<p>The other portion, and the part that fits in with what it is the Red Sox are attempting to do with their off-season -- play for now without giving up the future -- is that LaRoche would cost Boston their first unprotected pick in the 2013 draft. That would be their second-round selection, and, while in most years, that would be a late pick, their terrible 2012 means it is close to what past sandwich-round picks have been. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2012/11/14/3645268/boston-red-sox-free-agent-rumors-2013-mlb-draft">Because of its placement as an early-40s pick in the draft</a>, it carries with it a hefty draft budget allocation of roughly $1.5 million.</p>
<p>The Red Sox could draft a total nobody with their second-overall pick, but that wouldn't change the <i>meaning</i> of the it. In 2012, the first season with a draft budget, the Red Sox picked three legitimate first-round selections, and then <a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2012/6/12/3080842/boston-red-sox-2012-mlb-draft-draft-signings-detail-spending-plan">split the rest of their picks from the first 10 rounds</a> among intriguing college seniors who would sign for hundreds of thousands of dollars below slot, and high-upside types who they could throw their financial flexibility at, such as Ty Buttrey. If they sacrifice their second-round pick and the $1.5 million that comes with it, they can't use that strategy once again. Given they only have the one first-round pick this year to begin with, it's already going to be difficult to maneuver like they have in the past, especially since that first-rounder is likely to use up much, if not all or more, of the budget allocated to that slot to begin with.</p>
<p>Napoli might not be the defender LaRoche is, and he might end up missing time with an injury. However, his upside is far greater than that of LaRoche, who comes with the additional price tag of Boston's second-round draft pick and the budget that comes with it. This whole renegotiation situation isn't optimal by any means, especially when it's been a month now, but it's no reason to go out and get Adam LaRoche instead when it doesn't <i>have</i> to work that way. If Napoli signs elsewhere, then it's a discussion worth having, but unless that occurs, Boston should be focused on Napoli all the way.</p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/1/2/3828004/adam-laroche-mike-napoli-boston-red-sox-hot-stoveMarc Normandin2012-12-27T10:34:32-05:002012-12-27T10:34:32-05:00Red Sox Talking To LaRoche, Napoli Deal In Danger
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<p>The Red Sox have been talking to Adam LaRoche as the Mike Napoli saga continues to drag on.</p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/Jen_Royle/status/284069672167563264">According to Jen Royle</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> have been talking to free agent first baseman <span>Adam LaRoche</span>, offering further proof that the Mike Napoli deal is in serious danger of falling through.</p>
<p>While <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/boston-red-sox-adam-laroche-mike-napoli-hip-washington-nationls-texas-rangers-122612">Ken Rosenthal has added</a> that the club would still prefer to sign Napoli, it's becoming more and more clear that the Sox and Napoli do not see eye-to-eye on what was once a seemingly done deal at three years and $39 million. It's been more than three weeks now since we heard the two sides were in agreement.</p>
<p>The issue purportedly lies in <span>Mike Napoli's</span> hips, which have been a source of problems for the free agent recently. A negative report during Napoli's physical caused the Sox to think twice about giving him three years, and since then they've been trying to talk him down to two, or at least include some insurance against any hip-related injury in his deal.</p>
<p>It would be a shame to see the Red Sox miss out on their top target over something uncontrollable like the health of his hips, But if Adam LaRoche requires the same investment to sign--and it doesn't look like he's willing to sign for fewer than three years himself--then is Napoli really not a risk worth taking. LaRoche was good last year, no question. On the whole he's a solid player who shouldn't kill you at the plate or in the field. </p>
<p>Napoli, however, is on a whole different level in terms of upside. His worst offensive years aren't far off of LaRoche's best, and LaRoche has never even approached Napoli's best. Accounting for the hip, LaRoche might be the safer option, but as constructed the Red Sox are a team that needs to take risks on players who could come through with really big years. Add in the fact that LaRoche will cost a draft pick besides, and missing out on Napoli starts to look like a pretty tough pill to swallow </p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2012/12/27/3807834/red-sox-adam-laroche-mike-napoli-rumorsBen Buchanan2012-12-21T15:00:26-05:002012-12-21T15:00:26-05:00Mike Napoli Vs. Adrian Gonzalez
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<p>Mike Napoli will replace Adrian Gonzalez at first base next season, but will he measure up to Gonzo? </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> were able to rid themselves of some pretty dreadful contracts this past season thanks to the trade with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>, but that financial freedom had a cost and that cost was <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>. Gonzalez had an off-year in 2012, posting career worst on-base and slugging numbers thanks to a terrible start to the season, but he still managed to be 15% better than league average at the plate and he still gave the Red Sox elite defense at first base. His seven year/ $157M contract is still a bargain considering the ten year/$240M deal that <span>Albert Pujols</span> got from the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> or the nine year $214M deal <city w:st="on">Detroit</city> gave Prince Fielder. Even with his production beginning to wane, Adrian Gonzalez’s production is still a difficult player to replace.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<place w:st="on">Boston</place> has chosen to sign <span>Mike Napoli</span> to play first base in place of Gonzo, giving him a three year/ $39M deal. Team building is not so simple that Napoli alone needs to replace the production that Gonzalez gave <city w:st="on">Boston</city>, but it is worth looking at what the Red Sox can expect from their new first baseman as it compares to what they gave up when they traded Gonzalez.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For their careers, Gonzalez and
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> have been surprisingly close in offensive production.
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> is about seven months older than Gonzalez but while Gonzo played some in the majors in 2004 and 2005 both became full-time players in 2006. Because Napoli was a catcher (and in part because Mike Scioscia hated him as a catcher), he has nearly half as many total plate appearances as Gonzalez, but on a 162 game average, Napoli has hit 33 home runs, walked 70 times and driven in 85 runs with a 259/.356/.507 batting line while Gonzo has averaged 29 home runs, 103 RBIs, 73 walks and a .294/.371/.507 batting line. They are very different hitters in some respects. Gonzalez makes a good deal more contact, as his advantage in batting average suggests and
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> is very prone to strike outs; he has a career rate of 25.4% and he topped 30% last season. This compares poorly to Gonzo’s 17.7% career rate, however,
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> has tempered that rise in strike outs by being even more discerning in the batter’s box. His 13.4% walk rate last year was more than double Gonzo 6.1% rate last year (a shocking career low for him). Overall, the style might be very different, but the result is very close. By weighted Runs Created Plus, Napoli has been 28% better than average in his career and Gonzalez has been 33% better than average and they are even closer in the past three years, with
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> at 135 wRC+ and Gonzo at 137. Both players are still close to their prime and both have shown some signs of decline, but there is no reason to project them much differently in the 2013 season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The bigger difference between the two is likely to come on the defensive side. Adrian Gonzalez is an elite defensive first baseman. By Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) he has average 4.5 runs saved per 150 games. Total Zone sees him saving eight runs a year. Defensive Runs Saved (<stockticker w:st="on">DRS</stockticker>) credits him with close to ten runs a year saved.
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> is not going to be that kind of defensive player. He was never well-regarded as a defensive catcher and while first base is a considerably less complex defensive position, the early indications point to
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> being an average defender. He has 1040 innings at first base in his career, all of which have come in the last three seasons. In that small sample, he is -3.4 below average per 150 games by UZR, -1 run below average by Total Zone and exactly average by <stockticker w:st="on">DRS</stockticker>. It best to regress these numbers some and in doing that, we get the picture of an average defender. It is certainly possible that more regular work at the position could help to make
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> a plus defender, but he almost certainly will not approach Gonzalez’s levels of defensive value.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> gives the Red Sox a positional freedom that Gonzalez did not. Should they need
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> to catch, he can handle limited work behind the plate.
<place w:st="on">Boston</place> tried Gonzalez in right-field some over the past two seasons, primarily as a way to keep <span>David Ortiz</span> or <span>Kevin Youkilis</span> in the line up, but Gonzo could never really fit anywhere but at first. This is not the easy thing to put a value on, either in terms of runs or wins, but it is an asset, particularly with David Ortiz still around.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mike Napoli alone replaces all but approximately 10-12 runs (or approximately 1 Win Above Replacement) of overall production that the Red Sox might have expected from Gonzalez. He also costs around $8M less in each of the next three seasons and will not factor into the Red Sox plans after that. With wins valued around $5M per WAR, the difference in cost is more than enough to offset the difference in production. If it were not for Gonzalez bizarre 2012 season, Napoli would like be considered the bigger risk, but Gonzalez raised enough questions last year to even the scales in that respect. It is possible that
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place> is the better player from now on, but it is unlikely. However, the Red Sox are likely to be a better team with
<place w:st="on">Napoli</place>, thanks and the added flexibility he gives them, both on the field and in the bank.</p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2012/12/21/3792374/mike-napoli-adrian-gonzalez-boston-red-sox-hot-stoveMattsullivan2012-12-21T09:48:14-05:002012-12-21T09:48:14-05:00Mike Napoli's Hip The Cause Of Red Sox Delay
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>It was speculation before, but now there's confirmation that Napoli's hip is the issue</p> <p>It's no secret that <span>Mike Napoli's</span> hip was a potential source of concern, and most-likely reason for the delay in making his three-year, $39 million contract with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> official. <a href="https://twitter.com/Jim_Duquette/status/278728722889203712" target="_blank">Jim Duquette reported</a> when there was initially a delay that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> backed off of Napoli because of concerns with his hip, and now <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/questions-mount-for-boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-deal-not-official-122112" target="_blank">Ken Rosenthal is confirming</a> that it's indeed the hip that's the source of these issues.</p>
<p>What's maybe most-intriguing, though, is that the union sees Boston's concerns as justified, and therefore have no intention of intervening in this renegotiation process:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Some in the industry have speculated that the Red Sox experienced buyer's remorse after agreeing with Napoli and pounced on the issue with his physical as a way to negotiate more favorable terms. However, a source who has been in touch with the players' union said the union views the team as justified in its concern.</p>
<p>"The Red Sox cannot be faulted for their conduct here," the source said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That's not the same thing as saying Napoli is a busted disappointment waiting to disappoint all over the place. The fact the negotiations haven't broken off entirely mean that whatever the problem is, it's not so bad that the Red Sox don't want Napoli. They just want, as they have done multiple times before, to protect themselves through reworked language in the contract, in case an issue with his hip does crop up over the life of the deal.</p>
<p>Sadly, for those hoping for more than the drip drip of winter news, there's no other new information in Rosenthal's report, though, just that confirmation. Everything else, <a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2012/12/12/3758124/boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-free-agent-rumors" target="_blank">we already know</a>.</p>
<p>As owner John Henry no longer puts insurance policies in contracts, this is how things work for the Red Sox when it comes to injury risks. With <span>J.D. Drew</span>, they inserted an opt-out for the last two years of his deal in case his surgically repaired shoulder wasn't holding up by the mid-point of that contract. With <span>John Lackey</span>, his option became a $500,000 season should he have a re-occurrence of an elbow injury. For <span>Jason Bay</span>, who never signed in part because of medical language in his offer, it was his knee that was the source of concern.</p>
<p>It's unknown whether the Red Sox are attempting to shave a year off of the contract, or just allow themselves to get out from underneath the contract if his hip condition has deteriorated by a certain point. We'll have answers eventually, though, and since negotiations haven't broken off yet, there's little chance they will. Like Napoli, we'll just have to be patient with this one.</p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2012/12/21/3791796/mike-napoli-hip-boston-red-sox-signing-delayMarc Normandin