Report: Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino Potential Trade Targets For Pirates
BOSTON (CBS) -- The last-place Boston Red Sox won't be bailed out this summer the way they were back in August 2012, but they still may be able to get some relief ahead of Friday's trade deadline.
According to Bill West of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates have "checked into Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli as possible trade targets."
Napoli, of course, is in the midst of a dreadful season at the plate. He's hitting .209 with 11 home runs and a .683 OPS. However, his defense at first base has remained steady, which makes him appealing to the Pirates.
"Napoli's 2.0 ultimate zone rating per Fangraphs is third-best among American League first basemen," West wrote. "Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez has a minus-12.3 UZR."
Victorino has been limited to just 33 games this year due to hamstring and calf issues. He's hitting .245 with two doubles, one home run and a .622 OPS.
Napoli is making $16 million this year, his final season under contract. Victorino is in the final year of a three-year contract that pays him $13 million this year. The Red Sox would likely be willing to pay some of the money left on either or both contracts if they were able to receive a worthwhile prospect in return.
Brock Holt, the Red Sox' lone All-Star representative this year, came to Boston from Pittsburgh in a December 2012 trade.
The Red Sox are currently 12 games out of first place in the AL East and 8.5 games out of a wild-card spot. The Pirates, meanwhile, are six games out of first place in the NL Central but are sitting in the top NL wild-card spot.
