Mike Napoli update
According to ESPN’s Jim Bowden, free agent first baseman Mike Napoli’s one-year contract with the Texas Rangers will be $8.5 million.
Napoli came to an agreement with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday after months of negotiations. He is expected to play first base and designated hitter and strengthen the middle of the order as well as the clubhouse.
“What he brings to a team exceeds his numbers,” Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona told Cleveland.com. “There’s a lot to be said for that. His numbers have been tremendous for us, but what he’s done as a teammate, in my opinion, has probably exceeded his numbers.”
O’Neill signs
The Texas Rangers have also signed the nephew of former New York Yankee Paul O’Neill to a minor league contract.
Michael O’Neill was a third-round draft pick in 2013. O’Neill, 24, hit .237, but stole 42 bases in the South Atlantic League in 2014.
Paul O’Neill played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees and was on five World Series championship teams.
Pudge’s son
Rangers of Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez’ son, Dereck, is advancing through the Minnesota Twins system. After beginning his career as an outfielder, Dereck, 24, was converted to a pitcher.
He’s had much more success on the mound, winning Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year in 2015 on the heels of a 6-3, 2.85 ERA season in the Rookie league. He finished last year in Advanced-A.
Former prospect signs with Boston Red Sox
Former Rangers first round pick Mike Olt has been signed for 2017 with the Boston Red Sox. Terms have not been announced, but it is believed to be a minor league deal.
Texas took Olt with the 49th pick in the 2010 draft, and by 2012 he was the No. 22 prospect in Baseball America’s rankings.
Olt, 28, last played in the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 2015, hitting .203 in 24 games. He’s played third and first base in the majors in brief stints with the White Sox, Rangers and Chicago Cubs and sports a .168 with 16 homers (he hit 12 with the Cubs in 2014. He spent 2016 in the minors).
Michael K. Brantley is a Staff Writer for Outside Pitch MLB covering the Texas Rangers. You can contact and follow Michael on Twitter.
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