Report: Rangers, Napoli have strong desire to reunite

After missing out on Edwin Encarnacion, the Texas Rangers and first baseman Mike Napoli - whom Encarnacion replaced in Cleveland - seem destined to reunite.

After spending two seasons together from 2011-12 - and another in 2015 - Napoli and the Rangers are discussing yet another reunion and have a strong desire to get it done, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

While Sullivan reports that no deal is imminent, negotiations are reportedly fluid enough that something could be agreed upon once the length of the contract is finalized.

It was also earlier reported that Texas was considered the front-runner for Napoli, after being heavily in the mix for Encarnacion. Along with Oakland, the Rangers were reportedly involved in talks with Encarnacion until the very last minute, before the slugger signed with the Cleveland Indians.

The Rangers have been uncharacteristically quiet this offseason, having lost Carlos Beltran, Ian Desmond, and Mitch Moreland to free agency. The team has added Andrew Cashner and Carlos Gomez, however, as both signed one-year deals. The loss of Moreland, meanwhile, opened up a hole at first base, leading to the interest in Napoli.

The 35-year old Napoli is coming off a 34-home run campaign with the Indians, in which he also posted a career-high 101 RBIs. He previously slashed .277/.381/.548 across three seasons with Texas.