BAck in #napoli

David Ortiz will once again enjoy the protection of having "Hacksaw" Mike Napoli protecting him in the lineup next year.  Of course, with the loss of Jacoby Ellsbury he will most likely be batting clean up in 2014.  Napoli was the top free agent first baseman available even with his uncanny ability to strike out more than me at a singles bar.

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Mike had 187 strike outs last year and 129 hits, that seems uneven until you count his 73 walks which brings is OBP. up to .360.  He hit 38 doubles and 23 Homers, tallying 92 RBI's.  
He signed a 2 year deal worth $32 million to stay with the World Champion Boston Redsox.  
Is this a good deal?
Considering last year he was signed by the Sox to a 3 year $39 Million deal until Larry "buttinsky" Lucchino got involved, breaking up the deal because of concern with Napoli's hip.  So Mike signed an incentive laden deal last year, 1 year for $5 million guaranteed and incentives up to $8 million more.  Guess what?  He hit all of his incentives and made $13 Million last year.  Now he is going to make another $32 Million the next 2 years.  so quick math will tell you that over the next 2 years he is making an extra $6 million from the original contract that Larry tore up.  Nice move Larry!
Should Sox fans care about the money?
If you consider the luxury tax threshold is at $189 million and they have to pay a 100% tax on any dollar above that, the difference in AAV (average annual value), which is how the annual salary numbers are calculated, went up $3 million for the next 2 years.  That's $3 million that could have been used to get a complimentary player either now or during the season.  So when every closer goes on the DL like last year the Sox will not be able to get a replacement without paying double the contract value including tax.

Well, it's not my money and Napoli is a great defensive first baseman, a power threat from the right side of the plate, and a good character guy.  This is a good signing by the Sox and worth every penny.  
Maybe Larry should stick to what he does best:

Picking up the trash!

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