DEC. 27: Jon Heyman of FanRag notes that although no deal was ever imminent (and he never reported that it was), the talks should be considered serious, as he believes they’ve progressed to a point where Minnesota looks like the most likely landing spot for the first baseman.
5:50pm: MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand hears that while the Twins like Napoli, there’s nothing imminent between the two sides (Twitter link). Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press (Twitter link) hears similarly, saying the Twins’ focus remains on their pitching staff.
DEC. 25, 10:32am: The two sides are in “serious talks,” says Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
DEC. 24: The Twins have interest in signing free agent first baseman Mike Napoli and have been in touch with Napoli’s agent, according to La Velle E. Neal III and Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News first noted the interest recently via Twitter. There isn’t any sign yet that the two sides are close to an agreement.
This isn’t the first time that Minnesota has been linked to Napoli, as the club originally tried to sign Napoli last offseason and actually offered him a larger deal than the one he eventually signed with the Rangers — a one-year, $6MM deal with an $11MM club option for 2019 that included a $2.5MM buyout. At the time, Napoli chose the Rangers because they looked like a better bet to contend in 2017, though it was the Twins who ended up making a surprise run to the AL wild card game while Texas posted a losing record.
It was a tough year for Napoli as well, as the veteran hit only .193/.285/.428 over 485 plate appearances for the Rangers, though he did slug 29 home runs. A torn right hand ligament may well have contributed to Napoli’s struggles, though the Rangers chose to buy the veteran out rather than bet $8.5MM more on a rebound year for a player who turned 36 on Halloween.
Given that Napoli provided good power numbers even despite an overall lackluster season at the plate, he could provide a right-handed boost to the Twins’ bench, and even become a major bargain if he could regain the old form that he displayed as recently as the 2016 season. As Neal and Miller note, the Twins also value Napoli’s reputation as a clubhouse leader, which could be particularly important for a young team that has an eye towards becoming a regular contender. Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and GM Thad Levine are both very familiar with Napoli’s contributions on and off the field, as Napoli played for the Indians and Rangers when Falvey and Levine respectively worked in those clubs’ front offices.
The Twins’ move towards contention and their lack of future payroll commitments have given them lots of options this winter, as the club has been linked to several major names on the free agents and trade markets (though Fernando Rodney has been the only truly notable addition to date). Minnesota has much more of a dire need for pitching than hitting, so signing a part-time bat like Napoli wouldn’t do much to slow their hopes of landing a top-tier arm.
joefriday1948
It is good to finally hear the twins want to sign Mike Napoli, and his twin brother Bright Napoli. Having at least one pair of twins playing for Minnesota makes sense . Yes get Fernando and Ferdinand Rodney makes sense also. We could then say they made a twin killing. So many twins are shunned . By promoting twin night and twin season packages, faith could then be restored in America.. Thank goodness someone cares about the plight of twins in the US and Canada and Australia
jd396
Open mic night
IACub
Hittin’ that eggnog pretty hard today, eh?
yoyo137
Dang are you embarrassed that you posted this? Cause I’m secondhand embarrassed for you lol
Tristin
Sucks for Twins fans
bleacherbum
Yeah why does it suck? He is the closest thing to a James Posey/ Robert Horry of baseball. Teams he plays on usually have a ton of chemistry and gel well together and he is often right in the middle of it. He and Johnny Gomes single handedly led Boston to to the World Series title a few years back with the Beards the made the roster grow and the cool T-Shirts they all wore for B.P. And stuff, not to mention the whole “Party at Napoli’s” era in Cleveland.
Guys love to play with him because of his presence in the locker room. You can’t put a value on that, and being as close to a contender as the Twins are with that young locker room, a guy like him would be great. Regardless of what he contributes on the field. I think it would be a great signing.
Dodgethis
Yeah those beards they ripped off from Brian Wilson and the giants was the d8fference maker….
bleacherbum
Whoever they “ripped them off” from, doesn’t matter. The point being Napoli is a leader and guys gravitate towards him. Levine had him in Texas and has been linked to him a few times since taking over in Minnesota. Every team needs a guy like him. Carlos Beltran was the latest example of how that works this year.
petfoodfella
I’m no beard expert, but I’m pretty sure beards have been around long before Brian Wilson was closing for SF.
brucewayne
Exactly! If I recall , the Oakland A’s were infamous for facial hair all the way back to the early 70’s! Plus from the beginning of baseball , wild facial hair has been a mainstay of players!
Pablo
People talk about chemistry being so important…. why didn’t Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson win the championship this year then? Am I right?
JKurk22
Who?
majorflaw
“He and Johnny Gomes single handedly . . . “
Um, ‘single handed’ means one person, that’s the whole point. Two people cannot do a thing single handedly. Cheers.
thecoffinnail
And “cheers” is a British term you pretentious hipster tool.
majorflaw
Um, we speak a brand of English here as well, sharing many words and phrases with our friends across the pond, you malodorous sack of monkey feces. You’ve never heard anyone say “cheers!” while they hoist a glass in the US? Silly bunt.
justin-turner overdrive
Why do English people speak English the very worst?
rocky7
Don’t know where your getting this “guys love to play with him stuff because of his presence in the locker room”? What does his presence in the locker room have to do with other guys performance on the field?
He left his best days behind, and now with a short bench, you must ask yourself is this the guy you send up in the bottom of the ninth needing a hit?
Doubt it!
And, he’s just an IDIOT!!!
HubertHumphrey
I hear he has nice soft hands in the shower.
Rob L. 2
Well, that “good clubhouse guy!!!1!1!” nonsense is a staple of this website.
justin-turner overdrive
Having bad players on the team means you will lose games. Napoli IS a bad player.
88winespodiodie
I come to this site, rarely read the comments, and then just for laughs. You win today’s laugh and head-shake for unsubstantiated baloney. Napoli and Gomes ‘singlehandedly” let Boston to the World Series title? Yep, I remember watching Ortiz, Pedroia, Victorino, Lester, Uehara, and the others sitting on the bench watching Napoli and Gomes do it all. Remarks like yours are a part of why almost nothing on the internet can be trusted – empty rhetoric from empty heads.
bucketbrew35
Lol. Obviously Ortiz’s .688 batting average in the World Series had nothing to do with it.
Cam
Cool – since he’s so good in the clubhouse, offer him a position as a coach.
halofan20
Hey 1V1 me bro see you at Rust
johnnygringo
Why? to compete with Joe Mauer, Kenny or Grossman?
get Boone Logan ,and Chris Archer …..fix what needs fixing,before chasing the guy who hit .193 last season,and is 36 years old
phantomofdb
Certainly not. Bench option and occasional RH dh. Can’t imagine an expensive contract, but yeah they need to focus on pitching quickly. I don’t like that they haven’t made a rotation addition yet
Pablo
They added to the rotation. Just the 2018/19 season rotation.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
I think he replaces Vargas
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
also I hope we don’t get Chris Archer cuz I would mean Royce Lewis and our best pitching prospects would be out the window
lilpartialbaldo
2 years, 35 million. Make it happen Thad.
justin-turner overdrive
lmao at most he deserves 1 year 3 million
Solaris601
Oh what teams put themselves through each winter trying to convince themselves that players in the twilight of their careers have something left in the tank.
CursedRangers
No doubt. Not to mention the crazy money that is thrown at them. Such a low probability of working out.
twinswin 2
I’m a Twins fan first Rangers fan second, don’t do this please.
dynamite drop in monty
I’ll never understand you fans who have “backup” teams.
Pablo
I get it although I don’t get having two teams in the same league. Everyone has rankings of teams in their heads. Most fans would rank division rivals down with teams like the yankees and red sox. Like say White Sox go up against the Rays… I’d cheer on the Rays if I were to watch the game. You got your bottom b and the others ya know.
dynamite drop in monty
Forgot my checkbook. Hope you don’t mind I pay ya in change.
Mattimeo09
Hooray! A nothing response from a nothing commenter! Always classy
thecoffinnail
My backup team is the Long Island Ducks.. If you ever get a chance to go to a game, you won’t regret it…
simschifan
I’m a die hard Cubs fan, believe if or not I don’t hate the Sox. I’ve been to many games. I hate Hawk. Jason Bennetti is cool and of course I like Steve Stone. So I guess my second team is the Sox.
brucewayne
The Memphis Redbirds , the Cardinals AAA team in Memphis is a very good time as week. Great team
brucewayne
As well! Great stadium
hojostache
Hawk is grating….he’s literally one of the worst homer announcers out there.
shelteredsoxfan
Simschifan I’m the exact same way but I’m white sox fan first. I support the cubs and will root for them, as long as they’re not playing the sox!
Pablo
I don’t know how this makes sense. If you’re looking for someone with some pop for 1B/DH- look at jay Bruce. At least he could play in the OF from time to time. Yeah he’d be a lot more expensive, but he’d actually contribute something. I don’t see a lot of value in Napoli. There are better 1 year contract guys out there. Maybe they’re talking a minor league contract which I’d be fine with.
Like others I think the team needs to work on pitching before bench/DH players.
johnnyfang
They want a RH bat to platoon with Mauer. Not Bruce.
Fuck Me Bitch
N-O.
dynamite drop in monty
I think he is married. Sorry Twins.
beauvandertulip
Should say club option for 2018. Not 2019
scottaz
Get Zack Greinke and Jake Barrett from the D’backs for Hughes, Gonsalves, Stewart and Banuelos. Difference between Greinke’s annual contract and Hughes is $7.5M ($21M vs. $13.5M) for next two years (D’backs would pay $3M annual payment on Greinke’s signing bonus, total of $12M for next 4 years). The rest of Greinke’s contract is deferred ($10M in 16-18, $10.5M in 2019, and $11M in 20-21) until 2022-2026. D’backs would pick up $20M of that $62.5M.
Mattimeo09
The D-backs are trying to contend. Phil Hughes will not help them
Tristin
Then why is Greinke on the block?
jd396
$$$$$$$
justin-turner overdrive
lmao no way AZ does that. Why did you flesh out such an impossible idea?
scottaz
The D’backs have two contracts that have hamstrung the FO from making upgrades this off-season—Greinke’s and Yasmany Tomas’ contracts. This trade frees up $7.5M this season and next and frees up $13.5 more the following two seasons of Greinke’s contract. Minnesota has nothing on the books for signed contracts after next season, i.e. 2020 and beyond. The Twins get an Ace, the D’backs get the flexibility to sign J.D. Martinez or to extend Goldschmidt’s contract.
reflect
Weird that he picked the Twins to contend over the Rangers. That suggests his analysis was as bad as his batting.
reflect
That he didnt*
Fuck Me Bitch
What?
justin-turner overdrive
“Weird that he picked the Rangers to contend over the Twins. That suggests his analysis was as bad as his batting.”
Fixed it for you.
HubertHumphrey
I’d prefer a full season of Kennys Vargas.
trace
How srsly on a scale of 1-10?
Yankeepatriot
Not much of a hitter anymore but he does have power. Good veteran leadership for what surely will be a team friendly contract. Not sure how much he has left in the tank though
simschifan
It’s funny I read this as I’m watching him strikeout in game 7 of the World Series on mlb network.
justin-turner overdrive
A good idea would be to sign a guy who definitely will still be a free agent in March, in December.
Ichiro51
I am a Yankee fan and this is a silly signing for the Twins. They should be focusing on pitching 100% of the time. I know he’s not getting alot money. Still they could have signed some low risk cheap pitchers with an invitation to spring training at least.
Yankeepatriot
They still can sign them though
jd396
It’s not as if they can only have one iron in the fire at a time
rycm131
Man if they sign him…!
Sky14
Why though? Between Vargas and Grossman, the Twins have enough mediocre options for the bench/DH and Napoli is worse than both of them. Just seems a waste of a 25 man spot.
Ski to Coors
They might try to trade Eduardo Escobar, in his final arbitration year. I’d image Napoli would platoon between DH/1B with Vargas and Mauer and add to the team chemistry.
twins33
Hope that’s not the case as Escobar is worth the money. Plus they may need him for 3B again.
If they sign Napoli, I have no idea why Vargas would still be around. They don’t need three 1B/Dh’s. I’m on the “Don’t sign Napoli side.” I’d rather they get an OF who can hit lefties. I wouldn’t platoon any young outfielder just yet, but they need someone who can if the growth doesn’t happen.
nentwigs
This is the best Flavine is able to do to “improve” the team?? What else have they done so far?
Let their inexpensive “clubhouse” guy who can play multiple positions become a free agent.
Blew roster management in preparing for the Rrule 5 Draft.
Blew their selection in the Rule 5 Draft.
Signed a pitcher that won’t be able to pitch until 2019.
Signed a geriatric, combustible long past whatever prime he had.
Now looking to sign a washed up former catcher to platoon 1B and DH, who didn’t even break the Mendoza line in 2017 to a contract 6 to 10 times the amount needed to sign/retain other alternatives.
When are you meeting with the reps for Darvish?
When are you discussing Yelich with the Marlins?
When are you discussing Realmutto with the Marlins?
Flavine needs a trip to the woodpile, and NOT just to bring in firewood.
TwinKilling
Where are the prospects coming from for Realmutto or Yelich? Even if there was trade for either than you’d bethink complaining about not having any pitching. Then a few years from nowthe you’ll be crying that the Pohlad Pocket Protectors never resign anyone.
Rob L. 2
Yeah, got to hit that free agent market for another “clubhouse guy!!!1!!!1!”
Iron Horse
This entire comment thread has ruined Christmas. Thanks.
dynamite drop in monty
Happy birthday, Stanley!
Waittillthisyear
Why are the Twins even considering this? If they want to improve the righthanded hitting in a meaningful way, find a way to get Realmuto. Younger, cheaper, more years of team control and most importantly, better bat and defense than Castro.
HubertHumphrey
Can’t they just let Kennys Vargas play?
SundownDevil
Napoli probably just DOESN’T WANT to play in Minnesota. The windchill today is -23. Not very good partying weather.
Joe Kerr
As long as he has heat indoors, if bet he’s willing to party anywhere the money is.
winn5115
Does anyone know the number for Kars for Kids? That’s Kars with a K.
Joe Kerr
That jingle is sooooo annoying, everyone I hear it come on the radio, I immediately change to another station.
CobiEven
Same. I thought it was only local to my area though? Do Those kids have a racket across the country?
Swen
I seen Family Guy make fun of that, didn’t know it was a real thing. I’m from Canadastan, so they think I’m slow, eh.
Col. Taylor
Dumpster Duo hard at work delivering Coal to Twins fans on Christmas….