Indians: 5 Potential Landing Spots For MLB Free Agent Mike Napoli

Cleveland Indians: 5 Potential Landing Spots For Mike Napoli

Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Mike Napoli (26) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) reacts after hitting a fly ball during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto’s window to contend hasn’t closed, but it got a lot stuffier inside Mark Shapiro’s office. The Blue Jays face huge financial decisions with Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Saunders poised to leave via free agency.

Perhaps Toronto finds a way to keep one of those players. Saunders wasn’t extended the qualifying offer. Bautista and Encarnacion just rejected the one-year pact, which would’ve paid them $17.2 million each in 2017.

Shapiro may have to find someone cheaper, and that mean Toronto could be in play for Napoli, who hit 34 homers and drove in 101 runs for the Tribe last season.

The Indians signed Napoli to a one-year, $7 million contract before the start of the 2015 season. Napoli ended up making $10 million thanks to incentives. The club did not offer him the $17.2 million qualifying offer.

Not many are counting on the Blue Jays to keep both Joey Bats and Encarnacion. If the club loses one, they’re going to be tasked with replacing some serious production.

The Blue Jays should have money, and might be able to make a sweeter short-term deal than the Indians are willing to offer.

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