Mike Napoli Claimed on Waiver (but is deal imminent)

Analysis of why the Angels would be willing to move Napoli.

over 1 year ago LAAngelsInsider 42 comments 0 recs |

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Well, if Tony does trade him, I won';t be happy without getting back a top 3 prospect from whomever's system.

He is a valuable commodity. A C with proven 20+ power is a rare commodity. I would be sad to see him go.

by Wally's World on Aug 29, 2010 10:30 AM PDT reply actions

Neither Napoli or Mathis are in the long term plans

If Napoli is moved it’s because they feel Hank Conger is ready for 2011.

LA Angels coverage from the locker room to the press-box to the front office and everywhere in between. Featuring interviews with the players and coaches making headlines for the Angels. Content is not subject to approval or review by team personnel.

by LAAngelsInsider on Aug 29, 2010 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm worried that rather than recieve 1 great prospect

We might end up getting maybe 3 mid level prospects. I just don’t think the Angel front office values Napoli too much, despite what the power numbers say.

BOURJOS BOURJOS BOURJOS BOURJOS

by ryanfea on Aug 29, 2010 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions

They may undervalue him but the fans definitely over value him.

He’s a .260 hitter who goes into prolonged slumps and doesn’t work hard to improve defensively at catcher or first. He’s exciting to watch because every swing he could hit one 400 ft. but he’s not consistent enough to pay 4-6 million when they are going to need every penny to acquire Carl Crawford.

by LAAngelsInsider on Aug 29, 2010 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Because batting average is the end all stat for determining a hitter's worth?

by ~MMP~ on Aug 29, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

his OPS keeps dropping the more he plays

(2010) 119 games .249 avg .318 obp .478 slg .796 ops 108 Ks 21 HR

(2009) 114 games .272 avg .350 obp .492 slg .842 ops 103 Ks 20 HR

(2008) 78 games .273 avg .374 obp .586 slg .960 ops 70 Ks 20 HR

by LAAngelsInsider on Aug 29, 2010 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions

And he's still our 2nd(or 3rd once Kendry comes back) best position player

by ~MMP~ on Aug 29, 2010 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

How many other players currently on the rodtr are hitting any better?

Is Torii Hunter working hard enough and batting well enough for the what, 15 million a year he is getting paid?

I hate the Texas Rangers

by 44FAN on Aug 29, 2010 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Torii gets 18 million a year

BOURJOS BOURJOS BOURJOS BOURJOS

by ryanfea on Aug 29, 2010 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Prolonged slumps cannot be translated into something good.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Aug 30, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions

What source do you have that says Napoli doesn't work hard enough?

I mean if you’re going to say something like that as an Angels Insider, you should have some credible evidence to back the claim I think.

"You play for Cleveland? I didn't know they still had a team." - Claire Holloway
"Yup, we've got uniforms and everything, it's really great!" - Jake Taylor

by Halowood on Aug 29, 2010 11:37 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

I hate the Texas Rangers

by 44FAN on Aug 29, 2010 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

I get the sneaking suspicion

this “insider” information is coming straight out their collective ass.

by dmhead on Aug 29, 2010 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

word.

by Balls and Strikes on Aug 29, 2010 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn't Soth hint towards it?

They want power. We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Aug 29, 2010 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Insider

The info while not popular to many is an accurate portrayal of how Nap is viewed within the organization. I think at some level everyone has thought that and the playing time supports it. These comments are made with recording devices turned off and 100% in confidence. I wouldn’t betray the trust of the coaching staff to impress someone on the internet. I can tell you that the information is good and if you’d like to email directly I’d be happy to answer things as much as I can. We are working with the Rev to continue to supply original content to HH in a way that doesnt come across as trying to hijack your site. I am a reader of HH on a daily basis, own and wear a Panther T-Shirt, and most of all appreciate our relationship with the HH community.

Jason Brennan
“Angels on Air”

by Throwbacks on Aug 30, 2010 1:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Suggestion: Change the show name temporarily

Because clearly whatever the Angels have been on this year is much more potent than air.

"You gotta have nuts." / "Coming Around 3rd, especially if I'm ticked off, that's going to happen." - Torii Hunter

by Commander_Nate on Aug 30, 2010 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions

funnnnnnnnnnnnny!

by wumbug on Aug 30, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't expect you to betray the trust of the coaching staff

However, I felt it would have been prudent to at least indicate that well placed sources indicated to you that his work ethic was lacking. From my perception, it just looked like a personal jab at Mike Napoli with no credibility.

I’ve got all the information I need, but thank you for the offer.

"You play for Cleveland? I didn't know they still had a team." - Claire Holloway
"Yup, we've got uniforms and everything, it's really great!" - Jake Taylor

by Halowood on Aug 30, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Keep up the good work. I enjoy your contributions.

Hell they dominate lineup fan posts and how do we something that is already over posts

44fan claims that it is a fact Vlad will get hurt. Here is to your "borrowed time" Vlad. You were, are, and will be the man Vlad.

by hauldog on Aug 30, 2010 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions

?

I have read your comment four times and cannot figure out the meaning.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Aug 30, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions

LA Insiders contributions are better than most other crap I read on here

I was merely letting jason know I like his posts etc.

44fan claims that it is a fact Vlad will get hurt. Here is to your "borrowed time" Vlad. You were, are, and will be the man Vlad.

by hauldog on Aug 30, 2010 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Oh, now I will recommend this coherent comment because I agree.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Aug 30, 2010 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Why do I have to keep clicking off-site...

…to read this mediocre analysis? If you’re going to treat this community as a free advertising platform to drive traffic to your site, you could at least pay Rev for the pleasure, post the article in full on this site, and post on topics that have not been covered extensively by other HHers.

by Turks Teeth on Aug 29, 2010 11:51 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs

You would think that someone who calls themselves "Insider" would base their information on more facts

than aimless speculation, and have something more unique to bring to the table having a press pass and access to the Angels clubhouse and the players.

I hate the Texas Rangers

by 44FAN on Aug 29, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I think some people at LAAI are based inside the Angel offices...

if that’s true, it’s far from “aimless speculation.”

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Aug 30, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Jeff Biggs and Jason Brennan from AM 830

are the two guys behind laangelsinsider.com. They work for the organization and have regular contact with coaches and players, as well as the FO. The host Angels on Air on AM 830 and formerly, the Drive. They are not just a couple of losers speculating.

by firebird81 on Aug 30, 2010 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

This

It’s getting annoying.

by ReggieBullits on Aug 29, 2010 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Just curious

How many times should the Rev have to post here—as he has done multiple times since the first time he announced LA Angels Insider site was live—that he purposely links to their site in order to boost their sampling and readership? I can think of three times off hand.

I judge that you don’t like the writing on that site. The quality is variable, but on its worst day it beats AngelsWin, hands down.

The good news is that they do identify their name in the FanPost so you don’t need to click through if you’re not impressed with their work. Nobody should feel deceived or taken advantage of, and certainly nobody needs to feel that LAAI is ripping off Rev—he has encouraged their contributions and presence here.

"I can't tell people what to think or not to think. Their perceptions are their perceptions. We just feel we've taken a step forward. At the end of the day, we have to play 162 games. Once that happens then we'll be able to evaluate the offseason moves."~Tony Reagins, on the Angels' offseason

by George Kaplan on Aug 30, 2010 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

They're butthurt because Jason said something about Naps they don't like.

The truth is, we’ve seen him play the majority of games this year and his numbers are nowhere near where we all thought they would be with regular playing time. I like Napoli, but I can’t help but get the feeling the guy maybe spends a little too much time partying. I agree we need as many power threats as possible. But why does this guy almost always fail with runners on base? He reminds me of Reggie Jackson. It’s either a big hit or no hit and in today’s world of .300 hitters also hitting 30 home runs, being Reggie isn’t valued nearly as much as it once was.

by firebird81 on Aug 30, 2010 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

But tHEy diD notz payYZz GOLD to Usns 2 jOinz da ClaN!!!1!11

"You gotta have nuts." / "Coming Around 3rd, especially if I'm ticked off, that's going to happen." - Torii Hunter

by Commander_Nate on Aug 30, 2010 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions

LAAI

We appreciate the support and agree that the writing or site is not for everyone. We had no intentions of trying to compete with HH and only launched the site because on many days we gather hrs of audio that cannot be found anywhere else on line. The Rev has been supplied some of this content and prefers to link to others. Since we have the site we may as well try and make it decent so we’ve added Rob Goldman to do old school player bios, and recently added Spanish announcer Jose Tolentino to gain more interviews from latin players. The comments regarding Napoli came from a member of the coaching staff, thats as far as I’ll go.

Because of the in depth minor league coverage, and in depth stat analysis Jeff and I are on here daily. Didnt mean to ruffle any feathers.

Jason

by Throwbacks on Aug 30, 2010 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions

-1

The hate for LAAI is getting annoying.

KEEP IT UP, LAAI! Some of us thank you for your contributions.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Aug 30, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

And now here is the punchline: The Sox won't need Napoli

Apparently, this was a defensive claim, with the Sox claiming Napoli to keep him away from the Rays. The Sox don’t really need him, but needed to make sure the Rays didn’t get the opportunity to claim him themselves.

The waiver claim was, I believe, early Saturday morning, after the Sox won the first of the 3 game series with the Rays. After that claim, they went on to lose the next two games and fall 6.5 back in the AL East, where the #2 team figures to claim the Wild Card. Right now, it is the Rays and the Yankees fighting for #1 and #2, and the Sox may as well be the Orioles.

So when all is said and done, Napoli figures to go nowhere before season’s end. However, this may well prefigure trade talks in the offseason, and Reagins may have his choice of suitors.

by George Kaplan on Aug 30, 2010 1:25 PM PDT reply actions

I don't have a dog in this fight with LAAI.

But since it’s about over, here’s what I think is informative to any Angels fan:

Neither Napoli or Mathis are in the long term plans

Free agency is the drop dead date, one way or the other.

If Napoli is moved it’s because they feel Hank Conger is ready for 2011.

Ergo, if Napoli is not moved, it’s because the Angels don’t feel Conger is ready for 2011. 2011, not 2012.

They may undervalue him but the fans definitely over value him. He’s a .260 hitter who goes into prolonged slumps and doesn’t work hard to improve defensively at catcher or first.

You guys just think that Napoli is on Scioscia’s shit list, but Scioscia sees Napoli come in virtually every day hung over and smelling of a different perfume. Napoli thinks that being Italian and sporting the same lifetime BA as Scios makes him as good as Scios….but au contraire. A degree from Mike Scioscia U is not printed on human flesh with tattoo ink; it is earned over time with blood, sweat, scars, concussions, and committment…….BSSCC.

He’s exciting to watch because every swing he could hit one 400 ft. but he’s not consistent enough to pay 4-6 million when they are going to need every penny to acquire Carl Crawford.

Napoli’s HR and SLG rates are higher than Scioscia’s, but getting a woody over an occasional bases-empty blast just goes to show that most fans don’t understand that baseball is a business contrived to make a profit within a budget. They fail to see the big picture: The Angels are going deep water fishing in the offseason.

his OPS keeps dropping the more he plays
(2010) 119 games .249 avg .318 obp .478 slg .796 ops 108 Ks 21 HR
(2009) 114 games .272 avg .350 obp .492 slg .842 ops 103 Ks 20 HR
(2008) 78 games .273 avg .374 obp .586 slg .960 ops 70 Ks 20 HR

In case you don’t believe that we know what, the hell, we’re doing, here are the friggin’ numbers. You’re a bunch of smart-ass want-a-be number crunchers (or interpreters); figure it out! Of course, your heart tells you that Napoli is the next coming of….Babe Ruth. You really should get out a bit more.

by wumbug on Aug 31, 2010 4:34 AM PDT reply actions

This is getting silly

Who says Napoli is the next coming of anything? The only point anyone here is trying to make is he is a far, FAR better option than our other catchers, especially Mathis. He is also one of the best hitters on the team, even in this down year for him. If Jeff played behind the dish like Pudge Rodriguez I can understand Scioscia’s position.

True, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. But to think there isn’t room for Mike Napoli on this squad next year is silly. If the Angels don’t appreciate him, I’m damn sure another team will. And I’m entirely confident he’ll take off with whatever team gives him a chance to just be himself.

by dmhead on Aug 31, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions