When the Texas Rangers declined a $13.3 million qualifying offer for one year to Mike Napoli to assure themselves a draft pick if he didn't accept it and signed elsewhere, it appears they made the right decision.
Napoli went out on the market and agreed to a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox for $39 million to play primarily first base but he never signed the deal and was never officially announced by the Red Sox. Rumors were rampant that Napoli's physical showed some issues with a bum hip and the Red Sox were concerned.
Finally on Thursday, Napoli is officially a Red Sox player as he had to settle for a one-year deal. In fact, the Red Sox and Rangers were reportedly battling for Napoli's services on a one-year term so Napoli could rebuild his value and hit the market again next offseason.
The move by Napoli makes sense since he seems to have a concrete role with the Red Sox as a first baseman, whereas he would have likely moved into a Michael Young-esque role with the Rangers as a first baseman/designated hitter/catcher once in a blue moon.
