http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/13/adam-laroche-mike-napoli-how-about-jerry-sands-as-the-red-sox-first-baseman/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Mon, 20 May 2013 19:02:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/13/adam-laroche-mike-napoli-how-about-jerry-sands-as-the-red-sox-first-baseman/comment-page-1/#comment-397511 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:18:53 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=255207#comment-397511 The problem with Sands MiLB numbers is that his AAA stats were accumulated while playing in the uber hitter friendly PCL as a member of the Albuquerque Isotopes..who play in a launching pad. His AAA number are nothing special within the context of his home park and league.

]]> http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/13/adam-laroche-mike-napoli-how-about-jerry-sands-as-the-red-sox-first-baseman/comment-page-1/#comment-397390 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:20:55 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=255207#comment-397390 I don’t think you make a decision like that based on one year. Napoli for his career hits lefties better than righties (911 OPS vs. 847), but that line against RHP suggests a guy who doesn’t need to be platooned.

]]> http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/13/adam-laroche-mike-napoli-how-about-jerry-sands-as-the-red-sox-first-baseman/comment-page-1/#comment-397359 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:31:00 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=255207#comment-397359 If Napoli also plattons behind the plate he could get close to a full-time equivalent in at-bats.

]]> http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/13/adam-laroche-mike-napoli-how-about-jerry-sands-as-the-red-sox-first-baseman/comment-page-1/#comment-397344 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:31:15 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=255207#comment-397344 Napoli had an OPS of .861 against right handed pitchers and .706 against lefties last season, so a first base platoon of Napoli and Sands might work. However, Napoli would not likely go for it.

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