Texas Rangers rumors: Mike Napoli wants two year contract, per Bowden

Texas Rangers rumors: Mike Napoli and the Texas Rangers have been linked this entire offseason, but with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in just a couple of weeks, Mike Napoli still is unsigned, and the Texas Rangers still don’t have another first baseman locked in.

Jim Bowden says that Mike Napoli is seeking a two year deal, while the Rangers are only willing to go one year. That’s consistent with other reports, and what we’ve speculated — that Texas, with Joey Gallo in the wings and Shin-Soo Choo needing to get significant time at DH going forward, doesn’t want to lock themselves into a veteran 1B/DH beyond 2017, especially one who may not have much left in the tank.

And so we continue to play the waiting game, with Michael Young saying yesterday that Napoli might wait until spring training to sign, and the Rangers apparently willing to wait this out. From the Rangers’ standpoint, waiting until spring training to sign Napoli may be preferable, since Jake Diekman and Prince Fielder will both be able to be moved to the 60 day d.l. once spring training begins, and thus Texas wouldn’t have to risk losing someone by clearing a 40 man roster spot.

Chris Carter is also out there on the market, and appears to be Plan B if Napoli doesn’t sign with Texas. But for now, it looks like Napoli is willing to bide his time and see if Texas (or someone else) is willing to go multiple years before settling for a one year deal, and the Rangers are willing to bide their time and wait for Napoli to make a decision.