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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 25, 2011 15:07:47 GMT -6
sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=6058127Mike Napoli's stay in Toronto was short-lived.
The Texas Rangers acquired the catcher-first baseman from the Blue Jays in exchange for reliever Frank Francisco and cash considerations on Tuesday.
Napoli, 29, had been acquired by Toronto along with outfielder Juan Rivera from the Angels for Vernon Wells last Friday. He's a right-handed hitter who batted .238 with 26 homers and 68 RBIs in 140 games with the Angels in 2010. Napoli hit .305 against left-handed pitching, the top mark on the team.
The Rangers plan on utilizing him as a power bat off the bench and someone who can play first base, catcher or designated hitter when needed.
Napoli was exclusively a catcher in his first four seasons with the Angels, but started 67 games at first base filling in for the injured Kendry Morales in 2010. He also made 59 starts at catcher.
During his career, Napoli has put up an average of .251 with 92 homers and 249 RBIs in 506 games, all with the Angels.
The Rangers give up Francisco, who accepted salary arbitration from the Rangers and was still unsigned. He was 6-4 with a 3.76 ERA and two saves in 56 appearances for the Rangers in 2010. He started the season as the closer, but was moved to a setup role after the first week of the season with Neftali Feliz handling the closer job (and winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award.)
Francisco missed the final five weeks of the season and the entire playoffs with a strained side muscle (latissimus dorsi).
Napoli is also eligible for arbitration and is unsigned for 2011, joining Josh Hamilton.
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Post by Terd Ferguson on Jan 25, 2011 15:32:36 GMT -6
I don't know many people that consider the latissimus dorsi to be a side muscle since it is on your back. Intercostals are a side muscle.
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 25, 2011 15:34:11 GMT -6
Intercostals are a side muscle. I thought they were waterways. |
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Post by mexicanjunior on Jan 25, 2011 15:46:37 GMT -6
Is this a good trade? I don't know enough about baseball to determine it...
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 25, 2011 15:52:11 GMT -6
Is this a good trade? I don't know enough about baseball to determine it... it's ok |
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Post by Terd Ferguson on Jan 25, 2011 15:52:28 GMT -6
Frankie has potential, but he was really hit or miss with his control. When Ogando replaced him as the setup man, things were good.
I think the problem was his arbitration. He was going to get a big salary and I'm not sure his role called for that.
Napoli is a .300 hitter with power vs left handers. He will be a nice addition to the bench with is ability to catch and play 1st base and DH vs lefties (or pinch hit vs lefties late in games).
It is a swap of decent parts...not sure who "wins" this trade unless one of these guys blows up this year. Both have been around for a while though...they probably "are what they are".
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 26, 2011 13:17:12 GMT -6
I thought he only hit .230 or some such last year. Or did you mean just against lefties? |
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 26, 2011 13:38:33 GMT -6
michael young is going to have a hard time getting enough at-bats
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 26, 2011 13:42:11 GMT -6
a buddy of mine who lives in oakland and is a lifetime a's fan says...
Good pickup for the Rangers, bad for the A's. He'll go yard at least 30x in that hitters ballpark.
Napoli's lifetime numbers at Rangers Ballpark -- .292/.394/.573
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Post by matt51180 on Jan 26, 2011 13:42:17 GMT -6
Career .251 hitter, but he has had 20, 20 and 26 HR the last 3 seasons. He's a solid choice behind the plate.
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Post by Terd Ferguson on Jan 26, 2011 16:27:49 GMT -6
I thought he only hit .230 or some such last year. Or did you mean just against lefties? you take half the quote and then ask the question? WTF? "Napoli is a .300 hitter with power vs left handers" |
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 26, 2011 17:26:05 GMT -6
I thought he only hit .230 or some such last year. Or did you mean just against lefties? you take half the quote and then ask the question? WTF? "Napoli is a .300 hitter with power vs left handers" i thought maybe you meant that he hit .300 against everyone, but hit for more power against lefties reading comprehension fail |
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Jan 27, 2011 16:07:29 GMT -6
a buddy of mine who lives in oakland and is a lifetime a's fan says... Good pickup for the Rangers, bad for the A's. He'll go yard at least 30x in that hitters ballpark. Napoli's lifetime numbers at Rangers Ballpark -- .292/.394/.573 Napoli is a .286/.474/.571 hitter against Cliff Lee in 14 career at-bats – with three walks.
Fluky? Take a look at some of the other top lefthanders in the American League.
In 20 at-bats against Oakland’s Dallas Braden, Napoli is a .450/.450/.700 hitter.
In 15 at-bats against Oakland’s Brett Anderson: .375/.444/.625.
New York’s C.C. Sabathia: .308/.438/.615 (13 at-bats).
Seattle’s Jason Vargas: .333/.412/.667 (15 at-bats).
New York’s Andy Pettitte, who I bet is not done: .429/.500/.500 (14 at-bats).
Toronto’s Ricky Romero: .429/.556/1.286 (seven at-bats).
Napoli has had a tougher time with Jon Lester (.697 OPS), Mark Buehrle (.413), and John Danks (.308). But I’m liking what he’s done against Oakland’s lefties (including Gio Gonzalez [double and three walks in eight trips]), and in general against lefthanders. His 2010 slash against southpaws was a tremendous .305/.399/.567. Over his five-year career, it’s .287/.391/.537.
Napoli is a .292/.394/.573 hitter in Rangers Ballpark. |
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