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Napoli agrees to one-year deal with Red Sox

Print | Comments () Posted by Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff January 17, 2013 10:35 AM

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From staff reports

The Red Sox and Mike Napoli have agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million with incentives that could bring the total value to $13 million, major league sources confirmed.

The incentives would be based on whether Napoli spends any time on the disabled list due to a hip injury. Napoli originally agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal in December that was held up after concerns arose with his physical.

Napoli spent the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers. He is a career .259 hitter with 146 home runs and 380 RBIs. Napoli hit .227/.343/.469 last season with 24 home runs.

The Sox have long felt the righthanded hitter would be a good fit in their lineup at first base. Napoli has been primarily a catcher in his career but has played 133 games at first base.

WEEI was first to report the news of the one-year deal.

With Napoli now settled, the Red Sox are likely to pursue a backup first baseman via trade or free agency. Their preference would be a lefthanded hitter who could also play the outfield.