Negotiations between Mike Napoli and the Boston Red Sox have
drawn out for 24 days, reportedly due to injury concerns over the slugger’s
hip. While Boston would prefer to complete their agreement and sign Napoli as
their primary first baseman, the team is talking to free agent Adam LaRoche as
a fallback option of sorts, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
While the Sox prefer to complete their deal with Napoli, they also are talking to free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, according to major league sources.
Boston is discussing two- and three-year deals with LaRoche.
The veteran is seeking a three-year commitment, but he’s yet to receive one
this offseason. Teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, are hesitant to sign
LaRoche considering they’d have to surrender a draft pick in order to do so.
Rosenthal notes that the Red Sox could simply sign LaRoche
and “walk away” from Napoli, who technically remains unsigned. However, Boston
views LaRoche more as a possible alternative than a primary target at this
point.
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