The free agent would rather catch but can play first base.
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Mike Napoli is meeting with the Red Sox, but at least two other teams are interested.
Decision time is nearing for Mike Napoli, the free agent coveted by the Boston Red Sox and at least two other teams.
Napoli, 31, is reportedly in Boston this weekend to meet with the Red Sox. He has already met with the Seattle Mariners, and a session with the Texas Rangers could come next week.
Napoli played for the Rangers the last two seasons. Texas declined to make him a $13.3 million qualifying offer, which allowed Napoli to become a free agent, but they would like to bring him back at a lower price.
Boston's chances rest in part on Napoli's preference to be a catcher. The Red Sox would use him primarily at first base, with some catching opportunities.
Napoli has not ruled out such an arrangement. If he signs with Boston, he would join Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Lavarnway and David Ross in the catching department.
That would seem to preview a trade, even if Napoli primarily plays first base. It is also possible the Red Sox would keep all four, using a Saltalamacchia-Ross catching tandem with Napoli at first base and Lavarnway in Triple A.
Whether Napoli would accept being third on the catching depth chart, even as he played another position, is unclear.
Another issue will be contract length. Napoli reportedly wants four years, and it is not clear whether the Red Sox would even commit to a three-year deal.
Napoli had a career year in 2011, with 30 home runs, 75 RBIs, a .320 average and a 1.046 OPS percentage. He tailed off in 2012, with 24 , 56 RBIs and a .227 average.
