The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tribe should bring back Napoli for another year
The Indians struck gold when they signed Mike Napoli to a one-year contract last winter.
There being no time like the present, now would be the perfect time to begin negotiations on an extension.
Napoli will have plenty of suitors when free agency begins this winter. He leads the Indians with 89 RBI and 29 home runs. He is among American League leaders in both categories.
The Indians do not publicly discuss contract negotiations, but before concluding an 11-game homestand by taking two of three games from the Blue Jays, Napoli said he wants to be back with the Tribe next year.
“I love everything about playing here — the clubhouse, playing for Tito (Manager Terry Francona),” Napoli said.
“Our training staff, the front office, our cooks — everything is really great.
“They do everything to keep us healthy. They have a big emphasis on doing stuff to keep us on the field. I’d love to come back here and play.”
The Indians signed Napoli to a one-year, $7 million deal. The contract is turning into a bargain for the Tribe.
No one should blame the Indians for not signing Napoli to a long-term contract.
He made $14.5 million last year while hitting .207 in 98 games with the Red Sox before being traded to the Rangers, where he hit .295 in 35 games. He totaled 18 home runs and 50 RBI. He has blown past those numbers with nearly a quarter of the season remaining.
The contract gave Napoli a year to prove himself. The Indians made sure they weren’t tying an anchor to their payroll as they did when they signed Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn to four-year deals in 2013. The Indians did not get their money’s worth in either deal.
Bobby Bradley, considered the Tribe’s top prospect among first basemen, is still at High-A in Lynchburg, Va. He is projected to be with the Indians by 2018, which would make re-signing Napoli for one year ideal.
Attendance has been on the rise at Progressive Field, not only because the Indians built a seven-game lead over the Tigers before heading to Oakland for a game with the A’s on Aug. 22, but because personalities are coming out among the players.
Francisco Lindor, Tyler Naquin, Carlos Santana and Napoli each has his own following. Michael Brantley has his followers, too, but Brantley unfortunately is recovering from shoulder surgery and won’t play again this season.
“Party at Napoli’s” Tshirts are a popular item. Fans identify with the burly slugger with the bushy beard. Some fans even sport Napoli beards.
“It’s been nice,” Napoli said. “I try to do a lot of stuff in the community, which I really enjoy. It’s been nice how they’ve embraced me.”
Napoli will not come cheap, and it is always easy for the media or fans to spend someone else’s money. Napoli could probably make $12 million to $15 million on the open market next year. He doesn’t owe the Indians a hometown discount having played here only one season.
Napoli turns 35 on Halloween. If the Indians are still playing baseball on Oct. 31, it means they will be in the World Series.
They won’t get there without Napoli’s bat.
This feel-good story could have two happy endings — a parade for the Indians and a new deal for Napoli to remain part of the Tribe.