Mike Napoli agreed to a 1 YR/$13 MIL deal prior to the 2013 season. While he struggled at various times in the regular season, he still Slashed for .259/.360/.842 – with 23 HRs and 92 RBI. It was his 6th straight season with 20+ HRs – and his 498 2013 ABs – still have left him without ever reaching 500 AB in any of his seasons.  The man averages a HR for every 16.38 AB in his Career. (169 HRs in 2768 AB). He will turn 32 on Oct.31/2013.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024

If you have followed this website for very long, you will realize that we have made some great prognostications from the time of its inception.

We called the emergence of the Oakland A’s half way through the campaign last year.  We also called Adam Dunn to be the bargain of the 2012 season.

We also stated that the Tigers would make the 2012 World Series.

We said the Dodgers were going to go nuts and spend like there was no tomorrow, probably make the World Series, sign Zack Greinke.

We called every aspect of the New York Yankees season this year, including trading for Mark Reynolds, Vernon Wells and for Alfonso Soriano to thrive back in pinstripes.

Then there was the predicting of Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, Mike Trout and Wil Myers at the verge of breaking out.

Previous Owner Jonathan Hacohen also predicted the emergence of Mike Napoli in 2011, and thoroughly admonished the Blue Jays for trading him – after having the Catcher for about a week.

Mike Napoli Game #5 HR 2013 ALCS

Mike Napoli was instrumental in the Rangers 1st run to the World Series. In 2011, the man had a 3 Slash Line of .320/.414/1.046 – with 30 HRs and 75 RBI In just 369 AB. He then Slashed .328/.414/.928 in the playoffs – with 3 HRs and 15 RBI in 17 Games Played.  Texas saw fit to let the man walk after last year.  It was partially because Napoli had a slower 2012 campaign – hitting for just an .812 OPS – with 24 HRs and 56 RBI.

I have always been a Mike Napoli supporter myself, as he would hit 20 HRs in 350 or less AB for the Angels every year, and I saw him clobber the AL West 1st hand in Seattle – and throughout my travels.

It boggled my mind always why Mike Scioscia platooned the guy with light hitting Jeff Mathis for years.

I mean Napoli is a beast at the plate.  But until 2011 with the Rangers, he never received the national attention he so deserved.

The man is clutch.  The part about his game – is that he saves his best efforts for the top pitchers and teams of the league.

Mike Napoli has a 3 Slash Line of .273/.375/.863 in his Post Season Career – with 7 HRs and 22 RBI – in just 121 AB. In this current ALCS, he had the decisive HR in Game #3 of the 1 – 0 Shutout for the Sox. Napoli also homered, doubled and singled last night in Boston’s Game #5 4 – 3 win. If he has a big Game #6 and/or Game #7 – he may be in line for the ALCS MVP.

Napoli is going to command a heavy $$$ total based on his 2013 campaign – and now playoffs.  The Red Sox need to think about throwing him an offer soon, as the price will continue to escalate.

While he has likely to not catch very much anymore, he is a legitimate 1B/DH.  A team should definitely come calling for his services.

If you are still not convinced that he is the real deal, than check out these following numbers versus very good teams.

Lifetime Numbers

vs LAA:  .350/.457/1.180 – with 13 HRs and 26 RBI in 137 AB.

vs BOS:  .288/.379/1.075 – with 15 HRs and 33 RBI in 125 AB.

vs NYY:  .342/.457/1.108 – with 12 HRs and 39 RBI in 149 AB.

vs SF:  .370/.452/1.229 – with 3 HRs and 6 RBI in 27 AB.

vs LAD:  .289/.367/.982 – with 8 HRs and 19 RBI in 83 AB.

vs STL:  .444/.555/1.601 – with 3 HRS and 10 RBI in 18 AB.

vs DET 2013 Playoffs:  .375/.412/1.287 – with 2 HRs and 2 RBI (6 Hits).

So how much is he worth?  It is my opinion that he should get a 3 Year contract at about $11 – $13 MIL per season.  It was the same amount range Boston originally offered last winter, before injury concerns arose.

Napoli is a proven playoff performer – and a patient power hitter that has a knack for being in the Post Season with all of the clubs he plays for.  Come all bidders!

Napoli played his 1st 5 years with the Angels. In 1549 AB, he 3 slashed .251/.346/.831 – with 92 HRs and 249 RBI. This amounts to about 30 HRs and 100 RBI per 162 Games Played. But Los Angeles shipped him off to Toronto for Vernon Wells. The Blue Jays then flipped him over to Texas in a trade, because they had J.P Arencibia, Travis d’Arnaud and Yan Gomes in their system. Napoli went onto have 2 good years with the Texas Rangers.  – Image of Sport/PR Photos

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

Chuck Booth – Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames:   To learn more about my  “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here .

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