Fansided

Texas Rangers could be in the hunt for Mike Napoli once again

By David Miniel

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Oct 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) celebrates picking off St. Louis Cardinals pinch runner Kolten Wong (16) to end game four of the MLB baseball World Series at Busch Stadium. Red Sox won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) celebrates picking off St. Louis Cardinals pinch runner Kolten Wong (16) to end game four of the MLB baseball World Series at Busch Stadium. Red Sox won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

According to Buster Onley on Twitter, the Texas Rangers are expected to be Boston’s biggest competition when it comes to re-signing free agent first baseman Mike Napoli.

Of course, this news doesn’t necessarily surprise me considering the type of season Napoli had at first base with the Red Sox. As most of us know, Napoli had a run with the Texas Rangers but played both catcher and first base with the Rangers.

He was a primary first baseman for the Red Sox when Ortiz was holding down his designated hitters slot in the lineup. Napoli started 123 games at first and appeared in 131 total. He fielded .994 but made an even bigger impact with his bat.

Napoli launched 23 home runs (he had 30, 24 with the Rangers in two seasons) with a career high 92 RBI’s and three grand slams. On top of all that, he batted .259/.360/.482 across the line which was better than his final year with the Rangers.

The Rangers named Geovany Soto as their primary catcher, so Napoli would become a primary first baseman if they do in fact sign him.

Also watch out for the Seattle Mariners.

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