If Mike Napoli does not re-sign with the Boston Red Sox, the team will look at Mark Trumbo as a possible option to take over at first base, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Red Sox could trade for Mark Trumbo
The Red Sox may be in need of a first baseman and the Angels are known to have Trumbo on the block.
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The Angels have been rumored to have the big first baseman/outfielder on the trade block. He still has three years of team control remaining, but is hitting arbitration for the first time this season and is set to become expensive soon. The Angels have been watching their payroll closer with bloated contracts to Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton on the books longterm.
Napoli re-signing with Boston is nowhere close to a sure thing. The Red Sox are known to have heavily pursued Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu before he signed with the White Sox and Napoli wants to see what the market has in store for him before talking extensively with Boston. Such a trade could also be a cheaper move for the Red Sox, as well, with Trumbo making much less than Napoli will.
If the Red Sox were to seek a deal for Trumbo, they would likely have to part with a young starting pitcher. The Angels are looking to fill out their rotation with good cost-effective options behind C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver. Felix Doubront could be an option to be sent to Los Angeles in such a deal.
Trumbo’s biggest asset is his power. He has 95 home runs over three seasons, including a career-high 34 in 2013. However, the value of his power is somewhat mitigated by his poor on-base percentage (.299 career) and propensity for striking out.
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