Red Sox dumped Napoli for a reason.

Jon Heyman reported that the Red Sox will take on $5.6 million of the 33-year-old's contract, while the Rangers will pick up the remaining $1.5M.

It hasn't exactly been a banner year for Napoli, whose batting line dipped to .207/.307/.386 through his first 98 games of 2015.

There is no question Napoli had a down year.

That said, if you look under the hood, the crew at MLB Network showed his stats and he STILL hit lefties very well. And we DO need that - badly.

I really didn't want to trade Salazar but considering what the Reds accepted for Frazier it's pretty apparent we could have made that deal for some combination of prospects which despite my minor league focus I could have accepted.
I do have more optimism about Urshela as possibly long-term solution at 3rd, and this Johnson guy who I can barely recall we have can play there, too, as can Jose Ramirez. I like having terrific infield defense which he and Lindor provide. Apparently Napoli has become a very good 1B.

The Davis-Napoli pairing is not much different from Moss-Murphy for 2015. Useful but not very exciting.

It's better than the winter we watched every 1st baseman sign until the only one left was [as usual I forget the name, but know he came from the Angels, once had been a top prospect, hit lefty, fine fielder, no power, father was a coach or scout] predictably he did absolutely nothing for us. Or at least I think it should be better.
[Casey Kotchman [sp?]

I think we have a solid lineup on the near horizon, reasonably well balanced although perhaps tilting a little to the left; much more athletic group than we're used to with basestealers at more than half of the lineup spots, lots of line drive power. If Bradley makes it we have a middle of the lineup slugger a year or two later.

C Gomes RH great defender I think he can hit, but 2015 was bad; worst than Santana
1B Napoli in 2016, ? in 2017, Bradley maybe in 2018 LH can't field at this point, lots of power, good batting eye
2B Kipnis LH avg defender good speed power comes and goes
SS Lindor Rh/Lh outstanding defender good speed more power than anticipated All-Star team leader
3b Urshela RH excellent defender no speed "major league average" 3rd base on offense potential
lf Brantley LH good defender good speed good power good hitter for avg team leader
cf Zimmer LH good defender good speed good power
rf Frazier LH good defender avg speed could be more power than Zimmer
DH Santana for now, maybe in future, Bradley could wind up here

I like that lineup.

1-9: Kipnis, Lindor, Brantley, Bradley?, Zimmer, Santana?, Gomes, Frazier, Urshela

Napoli and Santana will platoon, I assume. Given that Santana was worthless against lefties, and that is where Napoli does his best work. We might actually get some decent production from 1st base with that.

We are still weak overall on the corners though. Sure wish we would have got Frazier, or could find an OF'er with power. Especially since I think Brantley will be out longer than our crack medical staff thinks.

paul hoynes ‏@hoynsie · 30 minutes ago  Ohio, USA
Can confirm Indians have agreed to deal with LHP Joe Thatcher on minor league deal with spring-training invite pending physical.

Hillbilly wrote:paul hoynes ‏@hoynsie · 30 minutes ago  Ohio, USA
Can confirm Indians have agreed to deal with LHP Joe Thatcher on minor league deal with spring-training invite pending physical.

Is that Margaret's son?

I hope not, I think the son was involved with some coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea or some remote place.

Are any of these new Indians under 30? What a brain trust and ownership group we have!

Dumping this stiff today who I didnt remember we had raised the Indians WAR 0.7. This stiff is making 17 million a year. What a country.

I am certain that Ken has been complimenting my astute commentary and praising the conservative offseason moves by the front office. Best wishes to you, too, Ken for a happy holiday season and a successful 2016.

CIV- You one funny guy!

Hillbilly wrote:Personally, Frazier, Sheffield, and Hillman is a deal I would have done. Bird in the hand thing... Where are White and Pomeranz now.

I agree. Prospects = suspects, especially those from the Indians. Plus Todd Frazier was a very popular player in Cincy, and I'm sure he would be popular in Cleveland as well. I would love to have seen him here.

The general sentiment among the writers I follow on Twitter was the same too. Assuming the rumored names were correct.

Cleveland Indians designate Chris Johnson for assignment to make room for new outfielder Rajai Davis


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Physically speaking, every last remnant of the Nick Swisher-Michael Bourn era is gone. Financially speaking, the Indians will still be reminded of their costly free-agent signings for the next couple of years.

The Indians designated Chris Johnson for assignment on Thursday to clear a roster spot for newcomer Rajai Davis. Johnson would have become redundant when the team officially announces the signing of Mike Napoli, who is expected to take a physical in Cleveland on Friday. Johnson and Napoli both play first base and fare better at the plate against left-handed pitching.

"We found it would be pretty difficult to get [Johnson] some at-bats," said Chris Antonetti, the club's president of baseball operations.

Johnson's exodus carries a hefty price tag, though. The Indians were only able to ship off Swisher and Bourn to Atlanta in August because they sent some cash to the Braves and inherited Johnson's contract. The Indians are still on the hook for the remaining $17.5 million of Johnson's deal. The veteran is owed $7.5 million for 2016 and $9 million for '17. He had a $10 million team option or a $1 million buyout for the 2018 season.

"We didn't get there easily, but we felt as we looked at all of our alternatives, that this was the direction we needed to go," Antonetti said. "We felt some of the other decisions would have been not as beneficial for our team had we taken someone else off the roster."

Prior to the 2013 campaign, the Tribe secured Bourn to a four-year, $48 million contract and Swisher to a four-year, $56 million pact.

Johnson batted .289 with a .678 OPS in 93 at-bats for Cleveland last season. He missed time because of an infected spider bite on his hand. He owns a career .280 average and .727 OPS and though he has played both corner infield spots during his seven-year big league career, he is best suited for first base or designated hitter. The Indians plan to devote those spots to Napoli and Carlos Santana in 2016.

Davis, 35, hit .258 with a .746 OPS for the Tigers in 2015. His collision with Yan Gomes at home plate during the Indians' first series at Progressive Field cost the Tribe catcher six weeks of action. Davis totaled 11 triples and 18 stolen bases. He is a career .296 hitter (.798 OPS) against left-handed pitching and a .255 hitter (.654 OPS) against righties. He has extensive experience at all three outfield positions.

"He could get a lot of his time in left field and potentially occasionally in center against left-handed pitching," Antonetti said.

Along with Davis, the Indians have also added outfielders Joey Butler, Collin Cowgill, Michael Choice, Robbie Grossman and Shane Robinson since the end of the season.

"I expect we'll make more moves before we get to spring training," Antonetti said. "I don't think this will be the last one. Whether it'll be more trades or more free agent signings, it's difficult to assess. We're actively engaged on both fronts."