Around The Horn: New Balance To Sign Deals With All Four Red Sox Infielders

All four of the Red Sox' projected starting infielders are "expected to have contracts this season to wear spikes" manufactured by Boston-based New Balance, according to Steve Buckley of the BOSTON HERALD. While Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia already has a deal with New Balance, "nothing has been announced yet" for 1B Mike Napoli, 3B Will Middlebrooks and SS Xander Bogaerts. Napoli said, "I had some foot issues last year with plantar fasciitis and I found a cleat that was comfortable for my foot. Not that Nike wasn’t good, but putting on a cleat that’s good for my foot, the comfortability is amazing." Middlebrooks, who wore Nike products prior to this season, said of the New Balance deal, "Why not? They’re a Boston company, they’re available to us and they make a really good product. It’s the most comfortable shoe for my foot. Nike might be the best for someone, Reebok might be the best for somebody. But New Balance was the best for me" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/23).