Cleveland Indians Sign Mike Napoli to One-Year Deal

The Cleveland Indians finally pulled the trigger this winter, making two signings in a single day. The first was that of Mike Napoli, who looks to take over the everyday first base duties.

Many of us weren’t expecting the Cleveland Indians to do anything this winter. Your perception of what they done may very when looking at the deals they signed today. Along with Rajai Davis, the Tribe signed 34-year-old Mike Napoli to a one-year, $7 million dollar deal pending physical. There are also $3 million in incentive bonuses. So did the Indians get better with this signing?

Napoli looked like he might be out of gas early in the 2015 season. In the second year of a $32 million deal he had signed with Boston. He was traded to Texas last season, and the new scenery seemed to give the veteran new life. In 35 games for the AL West Champs, Napoli slashed  .295/.396/.513 with five home runs for the Rangers in 35 games. So did the Tribe just sign a guy for 35 games of potential? Not necessarily.

Napoli has been a solid power hitter over the last eight seasons, averaging 22 home runs over the last eight years. Napoli is also a strong defender, and after being a finalist at first base for the 2015 Gold Glove –it looks like Carlos Santana may become the team’s primary designated hitter.

The Indians could also use Santana and Napoli in a platoon situation, as well as mix the two up between first base and designated hitter. Napoli did see 11 games in the outfield, but with Davis being signed today, the Tribe now have what seems like 18 outfielders on the roster.

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I’ll admit, the Napoli signing is better than nothing. The Indians are at least making the effort at this point. But for a team strapped for cash, $7 million is a solid chunk of change to give a guy who really struggled the first few months of the year. Was the second half Napoli the REAL Napoli? We better hope so, or we could be dealing free agent busts again at the trade deadline.