We as fans just have to get over the disappointment of the news that the guy has a bad hip.  it's not like the Sox had the opportunity to do a complete physical before they made him their 3 year offer.  Nor did they throw caution to the wind and sign him anyways.  Once they saw the MRI and the extent of the injury they did the prudent thing and pulled the offer off the table.  Then renegotiated the current 5M one year deal with incentives based on production and playing time.  In the end it's a deal that has little risk for the team and one that given the terms will not be so prohibitive that they can't add to the roster if the guy can't get on the field. 

The upside far outweighs the downside.  Whatever his routine is to ready himself to play shouldn't be viewed as a referendum for continueing to pooh pooh the deal.  Time to move on and let the process play out and for Napoli's sake I hope he plays 150 games, hits 30 Hr and helps us to win the WS...if he spends most of the year on the DL and hits 200?  I'll wish him well and root for the next guy in line...

We as fans just have to get over the disappointment of the news that the guy has a bad hip.  it's not like the Sox had the opportunity to do a complete physical before they made him their 3 year offer.  Nor did they throw caution to the wind and sign him anyways.  Once they saw the MRI and the extent of the injury they did the prudent thing and pulled the offer off the table.  Then renegotiated the current 5M one year deal with incentives based on production and playing time.  In the end it's a deal that has little risk for the team and one that given the terms will not be so prohibitive that they can't add to the roster if the guy can't get on the field. 

The upside far outweighs the downside.  Whatever his routine is to ready himself to play shouldn't be viewed as a referendum for continueing to pooh pooh the deal.  Time to move on and let the process play out and for Napoli's sake I hope he plays 150 games, hits 30 Hr and helps us to win the WS...if he spends most of the year on the DL and hits 200?  I'll wish him well and root for the next guy in line...

Well said Bean.  As a fan, all you can do is hope for the best. 

One thing that was encouraging to read a few days ago was that Napoli does not seem to feel disrespected or lowballed by the Red Sox after the drawn out negotiation.  Napoli said that the Red Sox remained loyal and supportive throughout the process.  The right attitude always helps performance, IMO. 

We as fans just have to get over the disappointment of the news that the guy has a bad hip.  it's not like the Sox had the opportunity to do a complete physical before they made him their 3 year offer.  Nor did they throw caution to the wind and sign him anyways.  Once they saw the MRI and the extent of the injury they did the prudent thing and pulled the offer off the table.  Then renegotiated the current 5M one year deal with incentives based on production and playing time.  In the end it's a deal that has little risk for the team and one that given the terms will not be so prohibitive that they can't add to the roster if the guy can't get on the field. 

The upside far outweighs the downside.  Whatever his routine is to ready himself to play shouldn't be viewed as a referendum for continueing to pooh pooh the deal.  Time to move on and let the process play out and for Napoli's sake I hope he plays 150 games, hits 30 Hr and helps us to win the WS...if he spends most of the year on the DL and hits 200?  I'll wish him well and root for the next guy in line...

Well said Bean.  As a fan, all you can do is hope for the best. 

One thing that was encouraging to read a few days ago was that Napoli does not seem to feel disrespected or lowballed by the Red Sox after the drawn out negotiation.  Napoli said that the Red Sox remained loyal and supportive throughout the process.  The right attitude always helps performance, IMO. 

It sounds like both parties worked together to reach the best deal.  Napoli understands that given his injury, no team would have bettered the current deal he signed with the Sox.  He also knows that had the Sox been able to administer a complete exam, they likely would have never made a 3 year offer.  Certainly not without language to protect thier investment.  I agree that it's alway best when the player accepts the terms of his deal and works in earnst to do his part to make himself ready to play.  That said, given his injury, Napoli is pretty much playing for his career at this point and the coming year will determine the extent of his injury and the impact it will have on his ability to be a productive every day player at the big league level.  That alone, I would think would be enough incentive for any player to work hard and stay positive and do the work nessesary to rehab the injury. 

Time will tell if his hip can endure the rigors of playing 150 games and to what extent it incumbers his ability to hit a round ball with a round bat, squarely.  If his condition is degenerative, as in it'll never heal, his days in a big league uniform are numbered.  We need look no further than Mike Lowell for an example of the cause and effect of playing with a bad hip has on a players ability to compete at the big league level over a sustained period of time...Arod's another who's battled and lost time with hip issues...

We as fans just have to get over the disappointment of the news that the guy has a bad hip.  it's not like the Sox had the opportunity to do a complete physical before they made him their 3 year offer.  Nor did they throw caution to the wind and sign him anyways.  Once they saw the MRI and the extent of the injury they did the prudent thing and pulled the offer off the table.  Then renegotiated the current 5M one year deal with incentives based on production and playing time.  In the end it's a deal that has little risk for the team and one that given the terms will not be so prohibitive that they can't add to the roster if the guy can't get on the field. 

The upside far outweighs the downside.  Whatever his routine is to ready himself to play shouldn't be viewed as a referendum for continueing to pooh pooh the deal.  Time to move on and let the process play out and for Napoli's sake I hope he plays 150 games, hits 30 Hr and helps us to win the WS...if he spends most of the year on the DL and hits 200?  I'll wish him well and root for the next guy in line...

I wish him well too, but the next guy in line is not likely to be much of a cleanup hitter.  Of course, it remains to be seen if Napoli is much of a cleanup hitter either, even if his hip holds up. 

Honestly, I think Youk has more of a chance of getting injured at 3b in NY for 12m, then Naps does for 5M + at 1b in Boston.  Future years are certainly in question, but I think he shouls be OK this year.  If he can go 130-40 games, Im ok with that. 

Honestly, I think Youk has more of a chance of getting injured at 3b in NY for 12m, then Naps does for 5M + at 1b in Boston.  Future years are certainly in question, but I think he shouls be OK this year.  If he can go 130-40 games, Im ok with that. 

Same here southpaw777. :) 

If Napoli can play around 130-140 games and puts up numbers such as .275 BA, 15-20 HRs and 65-80 RBIs, then I will be happy too. 

I wish him well too, but the next guy in line is not likely to be much of a cleanup hitter.  Of course, it remains to be seen if Napoli is much of a cleanup hitter either, even if his hip holds up. 

IMHO, length is more important than having huge hitters in the middle.  At this point, there are no easy outs in the lineup.  Even the 8/9 hitters can have a .750 OPS.  the best OPS in the league last year was .790. 

I wish him well too, but the next guy in line is not likely to be much of a cleanup hitter.  Of course, it remains to be seen if Napoli is much of a cleanup hitter either, even if his hip holds up. 

IMHO, length is more important than having huge hitters in the middle.  At this point, there are no easy outs in the lineup.  Even the 8/9 hitters can have a .750 OPS.  the best OPS in the league last year was .790. 

We'll be lucky if the "next in line" after Napoli has a .750+ OPS.  And we're talking about a first baseman here. 

I wish him well too, but the next guy in line is not likely to be much of a cleanup hitter.  Of course, it remains to be seen if Napoli is much of a cleanup hitter either, even if his hip holds up. 

IMHO, length is more important than having huge hitters in the middle.  At this point, there are no easy outs in the lineup.  Even the 8/9 hitters can have a .750 OPS.  the best OPS in the league last year was .790. 

We'll be lucky if the "next in line" after Napoli has a .750+ OPS.  And we're talking about a first baseman here. 

Ellsbury, Pedroia, Papi, Napoli, WMB, Gomes, Victorino all figure to have > .750 OPS, and I'd bet that either Salty or Drew is > .750. 

I wish him well too, but the next guy in line is not likely to be much of a cleanup hitter.  Of course, it remains to be seen if Napoli is much of a cleanup hitter either, even if his hip holds up. 

IMHO, length is more important than having huge hitters in the middle.  At this point, there are no easy outs in the lineup.  Even the 8/9 hitters can have a .750 OPS.  the best OPS in the league last year was .790. 

We'll be lucky if the "next in line" after Napoli has a .750+ OPS.  And we're talking about a first baseman here. 

The next guy in line could well be someone not on the roster.  Let's not forget that we're a team in transition and as such the roster will be fluid while they build the nucleus.  My guess is that if the right player presents himself one that's just entering his prime and under the teams control for 3 to 4 years.  I could see the Sox making a big move during the season...

The next guy in line could well be someone not on the roster.  Let's not forget that we're a team in transition and as such the roster will be fluid while they build the nucleus.  My guess is that if the right player presents himself one that's just entering his prime and under the teams control for 3 to 4 years.  I could see the Sox making a big move during the season...

There was evidence we looked into finding that guy this winter, but either thought the price was too high, of thought we could do better at a later time.  I do think they are looking at a player with perhaps more than just 3 years of team control (like the failed Myers grab).