Scioscia Defends Napoli Trade, Says Durability Issues Were Main Concern

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday that he and Texas Rangers slugger Mike Napoli did not have a personal conflict which lead to Napoli's trade, according to an ESPN.com report. Napoli was traded along with Juan Rivera to the Toronto Blue Jays for Vernon Wells in January. The Blue Jays then traded him to Texas, where he hit 30 home runs.

"We did not butt heads, that's absolutely false," Scioscia said on ESPN radio. "Mike had to work on stuff that didn't come naturally to him, more so than other catchers who maybe do it more naturally."

Napoli has been terrific in the postseason. In five World Series games, he has two home runs and nine RBI. Still, Scioscia insists that the Napoli trade was due mostly to concerns about his health, not play.