Only 5.5 games back in the American League West, the Texas Rangers made what many would call a desperate move to maintin their standing among playoff contenders heading into the stretch run. The team acquired Mike Napoli from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations:
Reports indicate that Boston will also send $1.5 million to help cover the cost of the remainder of the $16 million the veteran is earning this year.
Set to hit the free agent market this winter, Napoli has struggled big time. He's hitting just .207 with 13 homers and 40 RBI's while posting what would be a career low .307 on-base percentage. Three years removed from an All-Star campaign with these very same Rangers, the hope here is that Napoli will find his groove back in Arlington.
Primarily a first baseman over the past several years, the 33-year-old veteran will likely be the first bat off the bench while backing up Mitch Moreland and getting regular at-bats against left-handed pitchers.