New York Mets looking into acquiring Mike Napoli to help Dominic Smith
The New York Mets are exploring the idea of signing veteran slugger Mike Napoli.
The New York Mets are looking for some additional help at first base. Whether or not Dominic Smith takes on the job right away, a veteran is someone that could help take the heat off of him a bit. If it is someone that can provide a bat and some leadership, that would be even better. So Sandy Alderson has that on his mind as he works the Winter Meetings.
When a team has a new manager like Mickey Callaway, he comes with players that he is familiar with from his former team. In Callaway’s case, that player that fits the bill is Mike Napoli. According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, Callaway has been in touch with Napoli to at least gauge any potential interest. Though he went back to the Rangers last year, he was part of the Indians championship team of 2016 of which Callaway was the pitching coach.
Napoli is a great clubhouse presence. According to Sherman, he was one of the leaders on that 2016 Indians team. He was the party guy, to be more specific. It never hurts to have a guy that is going to keep things loose. After all, it is a GAME.
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So what about Napoli as a member of the Mets? He definitely fits the bill of a slugger. Over his 12 year career, he has averaged 31 home runs and 87 runs batted in per year. He drove in 101 runs in 2016 at 34 years old, showing he isn’t slowing down in the power department.
The batting average is low. Napoli hasn’t hit for an average higher than .259 since 2011 when he hit .320. His career average is .246 and he hit for a career low of .193 last season. Recently, Napoli underwent hand surgery. He had a torn ligament in his thumb. There is no way that this didn’t at least partially contribute to his down season.
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Throw out the .193. As we have said in the past, players play to their career averages. Napoli’s career averages are hitting .246 with 31 home runs and 87 RBI. At this point, we don’t know what Dom Smith is going to be. Those kind of career averages would be an asset to the Mets, even if it is coming off of the bench.