The Boston Globe and ESPN are reporting that the Red Sox have agreed to a contract with free agent Mike Napoli. The deal is for three-years and is worth $39-million.
This looks like a very solid pick up for the Red Sox. Napoli, who will play most of his time at first base but can also serve as a third catcher, offers power from the right side of the plate.
The Red Sox were obviously swayed by Napoli's career performance at Fenway Park. In 74 career plate appearances at Fenway, Napoli sports a .306 batting average, a .710 slugging percentage, and has plate appearance-to-home run ratio of 10.4. Outside of Fenway, Napoli has . 257 batting average, .501 slugging percentage, and plate appearance-to-home run ratio of 18.6.
Tucked into the middle of the Red Sox order, Napoli should have plenty of opportunities to produce at the plate. In a perfect world, Jacoby Ellsbury (if he's not traded) and Dustin Pedroia will set the table and then David Ortiz, Napoli, and Will Middlebrooks will hit for power and drive in runs.
Next up for the Red Sox will be to add pitching and another outfielder.
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