Terry Francona’s return to baseball as the Cincinnati Reds’ new skipper has brought immediate excitement and familiar faces to the organization.
Francona’s hiring marked the first of two significant offseason additions tied to Red Sox World Series champion teams. The Reds recently announced the hiring of Mike Napoli, a pivotal member of Boston’s 2013 championship squad, as part of Francona’s coaching staff.
Napoli brings coaching experience from his time with the Chicago Cubs, where he served as a quality assurance coach and later as a first base coach.
Francona and Napoli share a strong connection from their time with Cleveland, where they worked together during the team’s 2016 World Series run.
Napoli’s extensive experience as both a player and a coach positions him to make valuable contributions to the Reds’ staff, even though his specific responsibilities have not yet been disclosed.
Napoli has expressed a deep passion for coaching, particularly in helping players develop and succeed, making him a natural fit for Francona’s staff.
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox are facing a complicated offseason as they navigate tricky roster decisions. The team is exploring ways to address the limitations of Japanese slugger Masataka Yoshida, who has struggled defensively and has underperformed offensively since signing a five-year, $90 million deal in 2022.
Yoshida’s transition to a full-time designated hitter has created a logjam in the lineup, prompting the Red Sox to consider reshuffling positions or exploring trade opportunities.
One idea involves moving Rafael Devers to first base, potentially displacing Triston Casas, a promising young power hitter, in the process.
However, Red Sox insider John Tomase has argued against trading Casas, emphasizing his potential as a future cornerstone with 40-homer power. Instead, Tomase suggests the Red Sox should explore trading Yoshida, despite the challenges posed by his remaining three years and $50 million contract.
Adding to the uncertainty, Yoshida underwent shoulder surgery in September, which could delay his 2025 season debut and further complicate his trade value. The Red Sox must weigh these factors carefully as they seek to balance their lineup and maximize offensive production moving forward.
