The Boston Red Sox biggest competition to re-sign Mike Napoli may be the Texas Rangers, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
Mike Napoli free agency: Rangers interested in Napoli reunion
The Rangers are looking for a power-bat this offseason and are familiar with Napoli.
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Texas is looking for a power bat this offseason and will be "linked" to almost every available power bat in free agency and trades, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Adrian Beltre led the Rangers last season with 30 home runs, but only two other players on the roster hit more than 20.
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Napoli played two seasons in Texas, hitting .275/.379/.552 while splitting time between catcher, first base and designated hitter. He moved to first base full-time in 2013, batting .259/.360/.482 with the Red Sox.
The 32-year-old can also provide value in the field. Napoli’s defense at first base has been an “eye-opener” for scouts, according to Olney. Advanced statistics also support the notion that Napoli is a strong defender; Baseball Info Solutions credits Napoli with saving ten more runs with his glove than the average defender.
Napoli has publicly stated that he would like to return to Boston, but Jen Royle of the Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox have not offered him a multi-year deal.
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