Mike Napoli

[Cory Engelhardt]

In Darren Wolfson's latest podcast, he reported that the Twins have expressed interest in Mike Napoli. He is not someone I had pictured on the 2017 roster by any means, but he is a known commodity and would provide value at DH/1B. IF the Twins did sign him, that would muddy the picture going forward for, at the very least, Vargas, Park and arguably Grossman (if he was in the plans.)

 

Napoli just turned 35 in October, so he will be 35 all year next year. This past year he hit .239 with a .335 on base percentage and a .465 slugging percentage, for an .800 ops. He had 34 homeruns, 101 rbi and 92 runs scored. He had a 12.1% walk rate (which the Twins need more of) and he struck out 30.1% of the time (which, well, it is what it is.)

 

I don't know if the Twins sign him or not, but I do think I'd be ok with a 1 year plus an option, or maybe even 2 years. We don't know that we can count on Vargas or Park, and the new regime doesn't have anything invested in either of those guys.

 

What does everyone think? Love it? Hate it?

[Thrylos]

As a hitting coach? 

 

'cause what a rebuilding team really needs (in addition to a proven closer) is a 35 year old DH that might lose a footrace to Jim Thome

[Steve Lein]

I would rather they give the keys to Park and Vargas. Napoli interests me almost zero.

 

This might be a bullish position, but I believe Park is better than what he showed overall last year and is capable of giving similar production when healthy.

[Willihammer]

It would be great if we didn't have to contract clubhouse leadership from old slow vets but that seems to be the reality with this team.

[rghrbek]

I know they've mentioned bringing in someone with a veteran presence, but if you do that, then they must have a plan for Vargas and Park (trades...who would trade for them?)

 

I'm also not so sure that the Twins are competing next year, so it would have to be a 2 or 3 year deal right?  

Then we get into an age thing.

 

Not sure I like that deal.  Focus on trading Dozier, and possibly Santana.  Maybe after the dust settles Napoli could be had on a shorter deal if they feel he could be an asset still.

[Cory Engelhardt]

 

I would rather they give the keys to Park and Vargas. Napoli interests me almost zero.

 

This might be a bullish position, but I believe Park is better than what he showed overall last year and is capable of giving similar production when healthy.

 

I'm kind of with you there to an extent. That's who I was picturing as the 2017 DH combo, Park and Vargas. Napoli, to his credit, has been in the playoffs a LOT and absolutely could help mentor some of the younger guys on the team, something that Falvey and Levine have both said is important.

[Cory Engelhardt]

 

As a hitting coach? 

 

'cause what a rebuilding team really needs (in addition to a proven closer) is a 35 year old DH that might lose a footrace to Jim Thome

 

If they are going to at all attempt to be competitive in 2017, wouldn't you argue that Napoli is an upgrade over Vargas and Park? I mean, maybe he is and maybe he isn't, but he certainly was a lot better in 2016 than either of them were.

 

I'm not saying I want the signing to happen, but I can almost see the rationale.

[Vanimal46]

Napoli isn't a bad option. If he is indeed brought on board, in no way could Napoli/Vargas/Park/Sano work on an MLB roster together. They would have to trade one of Vargas or Park. Or both. 

[Willihammer]

I will probably get blasted for this but if Napoli lands elsewhere then I'd love to see them give Jose Bautista a call. Tim Dierkes thinks he'll land a 3 year 50m deal with an opt-out, or even a straight 1 year deal. He's definitely a spark plug on the field at least and absolutely crushes at Target Field. Would cost a draft pick...

[jimmer]

Hard pass

[clone52]

With Cuddyers comments about building a winning culture and how they had that when he came through the system but lost it later, I think signing a veteran like Napoli might make sense.  Maybe too many of our young guys are just going through the motions, cant' wait to get home or don't know their place on the team.  I think there is no denying that having Torii Hunter in the clubhouse had a massive impact on the team.  Maybe Napoli is like that.  Both of our new front office guys have had him on their teams before.

[mickeymental]

how much would the hypnotist cost? the one who'd have to convince him to sign with a 103-loss team?

[jimmer]

I think there is no denying that having Torii Hunter in the clubhouse had a massive impact on the team.

Well, he certainly did in May of 2015.

[Cory Engelhardt]

 

I will probably get blasted for this but if Napoli lands elsewhere then I'd love to see them give Jose Bautista a call. Tim Dierkes thinks he'll land a 3 year 50m deal with an opt-out, or even a straight 1 year deal. He's definitely a spark plug on the field at least and absolutely crushes at Target Field. Would cost a draft pick...

 

Nope, no way am I giving up the 1st pick in the 2nd round. I'd absolutely look elsewhere in this case.

[Vanimal46]

 

I will probably get blasted for this but if Napoli lands elsewhere then I'd love to see them give Jose Bautista a call. Tim Dierkes thinks he'll land a 3 year 50m deal with an opt-out, or even a straight 1 year deal. He's definitely a spark plug on the field at least and absolutely crushes at Target Field. Would cost a draft pick...

If he didn't cost a draft pick I'd be interested. More bat flips in Target Field please! 

 

http://antennamag.com/files/2016/03/Jose-Bautista-bat-flip.gif

[Mike Sixel]

Ugh....that would signal win now....ugh.

 

Plus, where does Sano go if/when he can't field. This would make me decrease my faith.

[gunnarthor]

Isn't a Napoli signing the kind of signing people are claiming the Twins should do?  Sign a vet and flip him for value at the deadline like the Cubs did?   The Twins have a bunch of DH/1B options but, frankly, none of them are good and few have upside.  I like Park and would like to see him get another chance but Vargas shouldn't be part of our plans.  Mauer is nearly cooked. They should give Sano the entire season at third base.  Grossman can take a walk but is probably best suited for a bench role.  So I'd rather they role the dice with Park but if they brought in Napoli, I would understand it.  

[Vanimal46]

 

Ugh....that would signal win now....ugh.

 

Plus, where does Sano go if/when he can't field. This would make me decrease my faith.

I'm not sure it would signal win now.... It signals more to me that they don't have any faith in Park and/or Vargas. 

We've been preaching that Sano should get all of 2017 to sink or swim at 3B... Can't imagine Napoli would sign a multi-year contract. 

[jimmer]

Napoli was worth 1.0 WAR last year and 0.7 in 2015. Persuing him would be horrible.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm not sure it would signal win now.... It signals more to me that they don't have any faith in Park and/or Vargas. 

We've been preaching that Sano should get all of 2017 to sink or swim at 3B... Can't imagine Napoli would sign a multi-year contract. 

 

we'll know by June/July, imo.....

[gunnarthor]

 

Napoli was worth 1.0 WAR last year and 0.7 in 2015. Persuing him would be horrible.

Meh.  WAR for a DH guy like him probably isn't the best measurement.  Other numbers are also scary - he struck out nearly 200 times last year and he could be done offensively.  On the other hand, maybe his RH pull power plays up in TF.  He's certainly not a great fit but he won't be expensive - he made 7m last year and probably won't make much more this year and if the team is getting him it's because they think he can help in the locker room like Hunter did in 2015.  Obviously, you don't think that's a real thing but it does seem like people in baseball think it's a real thing.  So, we'll see.  As I said, I'd rather see what Park can do but I won't bash a one year deal for Napoli.

[gunnarthor]

 

we'll know by June/July, imo.....

At which point Napoli would be traded, if he's good, or released, if he's not.

[Mike Sixel]

 

At which point Napoli would be traded, if he's good, or released, if he's not.

 

I guess....but why not try Park or Vargas? What good does Napoli do this team, long term?

 

I can't imagine needing a 1B/DH type at all.....I am mind boggled, actually....

[Mr. Brooks]

Isn't a Napoli signing the kind of signing people are claiming the Twins should do? Sign a vet and flip him for value at the deadline like the Cubs did? The Twins have a bunch of DH/1B options but, frankly, none of them are good and few have upside. I like Park and would like to see him get another chance but Vargas shouldn't be part of our plans. Mauer is nearly cooked. They should give Sano the entire season at third base. Grossman can take a walk but is probably best suited for a bench role. So I'd rather they role the dice with Park but if they brought in Napoli, I would understand it.

Napoli will have no trade value at the deadline.

How often do DH's get moved at the deadline?

He was a 1 WAR player last season, and I can't see him improving on that. And his age and K rate make him a big time regression candidate.

[ScottyB]

If it's leadership you want to sign him for, I'd rather take Hunter or Cuddyer out of the front office.  They could give us outfield defense as good as Grossman with a decent bat and just as realistic as Napoli without clogging the 1B/DH situation.  Just say no to Napoli.

 

 

 

[jimmer]

Meh. WAR for a DH guy like him probably isn't the best measurement. Other numbers are also scary - he struck out nearly 200 times last year and he could be done offensively. On the other hand, maybe his RH pull power plays up in TF. He's certainly not a great fit but he won't be expensive - he made 7m last year and probably won't make much more this year and if the team is getting him it's because they think he can help in the locker room like Hunter did in 2015. Obviously, you don't think that's a real thing but it does seem like people in baseball think it's a real thing. So, we'll see. As I said, I'd rather see what Park can do but I won't bash a one year deal for Napoli.

people in baseball think and/or have thought lots of things. things like pitchers win totals tell us how good a pitcher is. That rbi totals tell us if a guy is clutch or not, that fielding % tells us how good a defender is. Group think, especially in a traditional business where 'wisdom' is passed on from generation to generation, isnt proof of something being true.

 

Having said that, i never said there is no value in veteran mentorship. Thats a thing for sure, in all business. What i dont believe is that Hunter's veteran presense is what caused a 70 win team, talent-wise, to turn into a 83 win team.

[jimmer]

Napoli will have no trade value at the deadline.

How often do DH's get moved at the deadline?

He was a 1 WAR player last season, and I can't see him improving on that. And his age and K rate make him a big time regression candidate.

exactly.

[Baseball Bat]

Not interested. I'd Call Joey Bats though

[Willihammer]

We have heard from various sources lately about how Levine and Falvey value intangibles / leadership. I would assume if the rumors are true that this is what that's about, not capturing some marginal value at DH or flipping him at the deadline.

[clone52]

 

I guess....but why not try Park or Vargas? What good does Napoli do this team, long term?

 

I can't imagine needing a 1B/DH type at all.....I am mind boggled, actually....

 

The benefit Napoli could have long term is instilling a winning culture.  Maybe he could show these young kids that losing is unacceptable.