The Cleveland Indians have reached an agreement on a minor league deal with free agent first baseman Mike Napoli, pending a physical. If it seems weird that the Indians would sign Napoli, a 36-year-old first baseman who is more likely a designated hitter than anything, there’s a wholesome-as-heck reason for it.
While speaking to the media after the signing, manager Terry Francona explained the unique situation:
It’s a situation where a player that is universally respected in our organization, and in our opinion, shouldn’t be in that camp in Bradenton, Fla. He wanted a chance to be in a major-league camp.