Report: Rays have checked in on Napoli
The Tampa Bay Rays are in search of a right-handed bat for their lineup, which has already been improved in free agency thanks to the additions of Colby Rasmus and Wilson Ramos, and it appears they may be interested in one of the power hitters left on the open market.
Tampa Bay has checked in on first baseman Mike Napoli, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays could have some competition for his services, however, as the Texas Rangers appear to remain interested in a reunion with the 35-year-old.
Tampa Bay currently projects to use Brad Miller - who had a breakout campaign with the club in 2016 - at first base, but a potential addition of Napoli would give them flexibility at the position, as well as at designated hitter.
After Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively, Napoli became the top power-hitting right-hander left on the market.
Tampa finished fourth in the American League in home runs (216) last season, but 12th in the league in RBIs (647), so the addition of Napoli would be a wise investment for the club, who looks to stay competitive in a tough AL East, despite the smallest payroll in the division.
Napoli hit a career-high 34 home runs and 101 RBIs for the Cleveland Indians last season, helping them to their first World Series appearance since 1997. He also won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
Over the course of his 11-year career, Napoli owns a .252/.352/.480 slash line with 238 home runs and 678 RBIs.