Boston Red Sox to extend qualifying offer to Mike Napoli, not Saltalamacchia

Oct 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli hits a RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning during game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

So much for the front office being able to celebrate their 2013 World Series Championship, eh?

Just days after laying claim to their third World Championship in ten years, the Boston Red Sox are back on the job making tough front office decisions.

One decision that apparently wasn’t too tough for the Red Sox was to extend a qualifying offer to first baseman Mike Napoli, which WEEI expects the club to do in the very near future. One player who is not expected to see such an offer is catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, as the team fears Salty would accept the one year, $14 million dollar contract – the same deal Napoli will be offered:

"According to multiple baseball sources, the Red Sox plan to make a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer to free agent center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, shortstop Stephen Drew and first baseman Mike Napoli by the 5 p.m. deadline to do so today. Meanwhile, according to multiple industry sources, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is unlikely to receive a qualifying offer."

It’s pretty hard to envision Saltalamacchia passing up on a one year deal worth nearly $15 million dollars, so the Red Sox are likely making the best business decision they can – even if they’re unable to retain their backstop.

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