SUNDAY: Napoli will report to the Indians’ Triple-A affiliate, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com tweets.
THURSDAY: Indians skipper Terry Francona ran through a laundry list of roster moves today, as MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports in a series of tweets. Of particular note, the club intends to add outfielder Rajai Davis to the active roster for the start of the season and has released first baseman Mike Napoli, with expectations of re-signing him if he cannot find a MLB opportunity elsewhere.
Davis’s minor-league deal included an opt-out opportunity today, so it’s no surprise to see a decision come down. He’ll be slated to earn a $1.75MM salary with another $3.25MM possible through incentives.
The 37-year-old did not hit much this spring but obviously left a positive impression on the organization, which is plenty familiar with him from his 2016 run in Cleveland. Presumably, Davis will supplement youngster Bradley Zimmer in center while also seeing some time in the corners and functioning as a pinch-runner.
As for the 36-year-old Napoli, he’s slated to re-sign with the Indians on a new minor-league deal unless he finds a job elsewhere. Unless the market is suddenly more welcoming than it was just a few weeks back, he’ll presumably end up joining the Indians’ top affiliate to begin the season.
There were some other roster calls made or at least addressed today, as Bastian further details. Veteran righty Alexi Ogando won’t make the MLB team but will return to rotation duties at Triple-A. Fellow non-roster relievers Matt Belisle and Carlos Torres are still awaiting their fates, which will be decided by Article XX(B) bonus decision day (this coming Saturday).
Nothing real surprising here. When Davis signed I knew he was going to make the club unless he was a complete disaster this spring and they said Napoli wouldn’t make the roster from day 1 barring injuries.
If Ogando can get back into starting condition he is a great replacement for Merritt as the extra starter for double headers. Really the only question now is do they go with 7 or 8 in the pen and who gets the spots.
Ogando didn’t impress me this spring, but until someone like Bieber is ready to move up, he’ll do.
One hiccup with the idea of Ogando being the Merritt replacement: Ogando would need to be added onto the 40 man roster to do that.. Maybe the Tribe will have that space available later, but for now Alexi needs to get stretched out and back into a starter routine…
I wonder how long Rajai stays on the roster with the pending returns of Brantley and Guyer.
it seems like Brantley is always injured. He’s a good player, but being unable to stay healthy is a pain in the butt for Cleveland.
Is Rajai Davis a better outfield option than Tyler Naquin?
Not even.
How many left handed hitting outfielders do you want them to carry? Davis made the team because he can play all three spots, has speed and most importantly bats right handed. Naquin has options left, so put him down at Columbus and if someone gets hurt or Zimmer struggles then they will bring him up. If Guyer was healthy, he would have made the team and Davis would have been cut.
Naquin can hit, Davis can’t. Barely gets on base. That negates his speed.
Doesn’t change that Davis bats from the right side…..
I predict that they will stash Naquin in AAA until next season after Brantley and Chisenhall leave via FA. That’s when he gets his real opportunity.
I wish they wouldn’t waste his time like they’ve been doing. I remember during his rookie season he was sent down after hitting above .300.
He also had a ridiculously high babip which showed regression was coming
I despise unfounded projections. But that’s just me.
Please elaborate more about what you’re talking about with this statement. Are you referring to BABIP?
Man, I hope not. He’s outplayed every other outfielder this spring.
I’m a Naquin supporter but he has made some bonehead plays in the past. That combined with his babip couldn’t help his case. I hope he gots a shot at some point this season or next season.
I hate it when players actually hit “hits”. Obviously they must not be that good.
Hahahaha. I know, right.
Marlins should pick up Napoli. Very solid veteran presence to have around the young guys.
It’s hard to mentor when everyone there already wants to leave though
So let me ask a question. If the Indians released Napoli then why is he playing in the spring training game today for them?
Because you can never have too many 0 for 3’s in the lineup?
Apparently Francona and Napoli are friends and Francona wanted to give Napoli a showcase for other teams; there was never any notion that he would make the Cleveland roster. It was a nice gesture; Napoli’s career is probably over but if he wants to keep playing some team might give him a look. But he was always destined to be released.
Listening to the game earlier it was explained that Napoli is being “released” after the game today. More of a paperwork move. He has a minor league deal in place with Cleveland to go to Columbus (AAA) unless some other club comes forward with a major league deal
Oakland should definitely grab Ogando if he hits the market.
As a Red Sox fan Napali holds a special place in my heart, he was never the best player on the field, but it seemed like he worked the hardest….good luck Nap, Party at your place?
Napoli***
Nap always killed the Yanks.. if Bird is hurt again… bring him to the Bronx.. seems like bird is nick Johnson all over again