Mike Napoli

[jmclarke10]

Looks like Napoli had a couple nice nights in a row. I'm have difficulty knowing when to start him, so I was wondering if Napoli or Mathis caught for certain pitchers.

I guess I'm really just wondering if there is a way, or better yet a site, that gives you info on when catchers are most likely getting a day off to help maximize daily production.

I'm new here so i apologize in advance if this isn't the right forum.

[swyck]

I'm trying to figure this out as well, but I've come up with no rhyme to it. At this point it looks like they're splitting time.

They must really not like Napoli behind the plate to play Mathis this much, he's a career .195 hitter! No ones defense can be that good, but maybe the alternative, Napoli, could be that bad. What's he doing, letting balls roll to the backstop?

[mblax10]

Sorry, only Scoscia has the pattern map.

I picked up Kurt Suzuki as a backup who's a nice fit because he doesn't kill your rates and will just add to your counting stats on Napoli's days off. He also plays on the West Coast which is also good with Napoli. Most nights, by the time you see Napoli is out of the lineup it's too late to insert somebody like Pierzynski.

The other option is to just plug Napoli in everyday. He's going to get you 20+ HR's and a good amount of R & RBI for a catcher. Just live with all the off days.

I've seen trade rumors for both Napoli & Mathis. Either move would increase his value.

As far as his defense, remember Scoscia was a catcher so he probably over values what Mathis brings with defense and working with pitchers.

[AdvRider]

Napoli has been frustrating me as well.

Wieters is on the WW in my league.

Would you ... drop Napoli for Wieters?

[pokerplaya]

Napoli has been frustrating me as well.

Wieters is on the WW in my league.

Would you ... drop Napoli for Wieters?

I did. Napoli is still available though, so I may carry both for a while.

[swyck]

He hasn't played in the last three games, ever since he let 6 passed balls get by. At this point I'm really trying to decide what to do. It sounds like he's in the doghouse big time. Scioscia being a former catcher is probably not very receptive to that kind of play behind the plate. I doubt the pitching staff has a lot of confidence in him either.

Suzuki is the top C available, which isn't saying a lot, however Napoli is giving me nothing and at all. I was prepared to deal with Napoli playing 2 out of 3, but with Mathis above the .200 line Napoli may be sitting for a while.

[swyck]

So of course he hits a home run today.