Mike Napoli Talks Reach Critical Stage

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

By Tim Dierkes [December 6 at 11:24am CST]

11:24am: Napoli's market is picking up, and the Mariners, Marlins, Rangers and Red Sox are all involved, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi adds that the Mariners have had "recent" talks with Napoli.

 

10:57am: Mike Napoli's free agent negotiations are at a critical stage, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  He says Napoli wants to remain with the Red Sox, but he has an offer from another club that Boston will need to match or exceed.  Earlier, Rosenthal tweeted that the Rangers and Marlins are in on Napoli, who remains a priority for the Red Sox.  The Rangers are interested even after acquiring Prince Fielder, which is seemingly made possible by the designated hitter spot.

 

Napoli was one of 13 players to receive a qualifying offer in November, so signing him will require forfeiture of a draft pick for teams other than the Red Sox.  The 32-year-old switched to first base full-time in 2013 for Boston, hitting .259/.360/.482 in 578 plate appearances and playing in the postseason for the sixth time in eight seasons.  Last offseason, Napoli's three-year, $39MM deal with the Red Sox was renegotiated down to a one-year, $5MM guarantee after his physical revealed a degenerative hip condition.  With Curtis Granderson receiving four guaranteed years today from the Mets, I think Napoli has a good case for the same.

 

 

 

I hope he doesn't come back to the AL West.

[jshep]

please not the mariners please not the mariners please not the mariners

[Chuck]

please not the mariners please not the mariners please not the mariners

 

Or the Rangers.

[jshep]

Or the Rangers.

 

Oh ya, that too. Totally missed them on that list.

[bloodbrother]

Oh boy, Napoli back in the division

[Chuck]

Hoping he re-signs with the Red Sox.

[yvangelfan]

Please not the Astros please not the Astros

[gotbeer]

Why not please the Marli.......Oh shoot. Nevermind, it's the Marlins.

[YouthofToday]

Part-time player...

[gotbeer]

If the Mariners sign Napoli, that pretty much means Morales will be screwed.  He'll have no place to play on the Mariners, and with a qualifying offer that he rejected, any team that signs him loses the first round pick.  

[Angels_Make_Me_Drink]

LOL if he ends up back in Texas.

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Ken Rosenthal â€@Ken_Rosenthal2h

Signing of G. Jones by #Marlins will mean no Napoli in Miami and likely lead to a trade of @LoMoMarlins (Logan Morrison).

 

I never thought I'd want him to re-sign with the Red Sox, but at this point, that's the best option for the Angels. 

[HaloFan85]

Can't see him going back to Texas to be the everyday DH.

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Can't see him going back to Texas to be the everyday DH.

Rosenthal tweeted this earlier today.

 

Ken Rosenthal â€@Ken_Rosenthal5h

Sources: #Rangers interested in Napoli even after acquiring Fielder. Envision Napoli 1B-DH, Beltre-Fielder-Napoli 3-4-5. #Marlins also in.

[Biergott]

Please not the Astros please not the Astros

Why not?  If we are going to lose anyway, this may be the best place to stash him!  (sarcasm)