Three weeks after announcing the free-agent signing, the Sox appear to be no closer to filling their lineup hole at first base.
Maybe Mike Napoli isn't headed to the Red Sox after all.
The Boston Red Sox aren’t talking about where they stand with free agent catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli, but there are enough concerns within the organization about a hip condition discovered during his physical that there is doubt over whether he’ll be signed, ESPN Boston reported.
It was three weeks ago Monday that the Red Sox and Napoli reportedly came to terms on a three-year, $39 million contract - pending a physical. And that physical apparently revealed the sticking point.
"I honestly don't think the outcome has been determined," an unidentified source with direct knowledge of the negotiations said when asked by ESPN Boston whether the deal could fall through.
According to multiple media reports, Napoli underwent what was expected to be a routine physical Dec. 10 and 11, with the expectation that a news conference announcing his signing would come the next day.
That didn't happen.
Instead, since then multiple reports have surfaced saying that what had been described as undisclosed issues with his physical later turned out to be a problem with a hip.
Red Sox GM Ben Cherington was asked directly last week about reports of the hip issue but declined to comment.
FoxSports.com also wrote of a hip issue, citing reports that the Seattle Mariners backed off on their pursuit of Napoli because of concerns they had about the joint.
Over the weekend, multiple ESPN Boston sources confirmed that Napoli's hip is the primary issue holding up the deal but said that simply adding contract language protecting the Red Sox may not be enough to salvage the agreement.
"I cannot comment at this time," Napoli's agent, Brian Grieper said when asked if the deal might not get done.
For now, Napoli, 31, remains a free agent and is able to negotiate with other teams. Both the union and commissioner's office are monitoring the situation.
He was expected to be a key component of the Red Sox's lineup, filling a void at first base. He has hit 20 or more home runs in each of the past five seasons and batted a career-high .320 in 2011 with the Texas Rangers before slumping to .227 last in 2012.
If the deal doesn't get done, the Red Sox could turn to free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, ESPN Boston reported, though he would cost the team a draft pick as compensation. Another scenario could be the Red Sox approaching the Washington Nationals, if they re-sign LaRoche, about outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse.