First base has been an obvious weak point for the Red Sox this season. In the final season of his contract with the Red Sox, Mike Napoli has given the Red Sox below replacement level production, slashing .192/.294/.358 with worse defense than we’re accustomed to seeing from the converted catcher. Given that first base is a high-offense position, with the average first baseman hitting .256/.331/.438, the Red Sox will need to improve on that black hole in their lineup if contention is in order this season.
The only question is how the Red Sox will improve offense at first base, and that might be easier said than done.