WEEI in Boston is reporting that the Boston Red Sox are close to a deal with free agent Mike Napoli.

Napoli, who has spent the previous two years with Texas, is a player that the Rangers have reportedly been interested in bringing back, but it is questionable whether they were willing to go three years, as Boston is apparently willing to do.

With the signing of Geovany Soto yesterday to a one year deal reportedly worth $3 million, the Rangers appeared to be in position to bring Napoli back as a backup catcher/part-time 1B/DH. However, Boston had been aggressively pursuing Napoli this offseason, and with Boston having a more clear opening at first base, it may be that that provided Napoli a guaranteed starting job, whereas in Texas, he'd be splitting time at a variety of positions.

If Napoli doesn't return, it means that the Rangers still need a backup catcher, and still have issues at first base and DH, currently manned by Mitch Moreland and Michael Young.

UPDATE -- Jon Paul Morosi and Pete Abraham are both saying that Boston and Napoli have agreed to a three year "high AAV" deal.

UPDATE II -- Jeff Wilson writes that Napoli told the Rangers he wanted 4 years, $40 million, but Texas was only willing to do 2 years with a third year option.

UPDATE III -- Jon Heyman just tweeted that the deal is 3 years, $39 million. Given that that's roughly the same AAV as the qualifying offer, I think its safe to say that the Rangers mis-calculated in not offering him the qualifying offer.