Mike Napoli met with Red Sox management and ownership this weekend, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe and Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald (Twitter links). Multiple outlets report the meeting took place yesterday and the Red Sox contingent included owner John Henry, manager John Farrell, and GM Ben Cherington. No offer has yet been made by the team, according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier.
Napoli, number 14 on MLBTR's Top 50 Free Agents list, has drawn interest from the Mariners, Rangers, and Yankees, in addition to the Red Sox. Napoli reportedly has already met with the Mariners and will meet with the Rangers this week. Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio tweeted Napoli is determined to obtain a four-year contract and is waiting for the Red Sox or Rangers to blink, although the Mariners are still in the mix.
Napoli posted a .227/.343/.469 line with 24 home runs in 417 plate appearances as a catcher, first baseman, and designated hitter this past season. The 31-year-old is a client of Brian Grieper at Paragon Sports International.
