Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Indians: 5 Potential Landing Spots For Mike Napoli

By Nick Dudukovich

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
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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Oct 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) celebrates with center fielder Adam Jones (10) after hitting a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League wild card playoff baseball game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) celebrates with center fielder Adam Jones (10) after hitting a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League wild card playoff baseball game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Orioles

Mark Trumbo rejected the Baltimore Orioles qualifying offer. If he doesn’t return to Baltimore, the O’s will be searching for a designated hitter.

Everything hinges on Trumbo’s future. It doesn’t take a seasoned front office exec to realize that if the O’s are missing 47 homers from their lineup, they’re going to need to find a replacement that will get them back into the postseason.

Baltimore is going to endure some huge payroll increases through arbitration, as Zach Britton and Manny Machado will assuredly be awarded raises. Once that happens, the team isn’t expected to have a lot of spending money this offseason.

But if Trumbo and Matt Wieters, do indeed leave for greener pastures, the Orioles may try and offer Napoli a contract similar to that of the Indians. With that in mind, the franchise probably won’t try to significantly increase their payroll.

Napoli just made $7 million with the Indians, and an additional $3 million through incentives. Even though he had a great year, the Tribe wouldn’t go as far as offering him the $17.2 million qualifying offer. This mean’s Nap’s salary for 2017 probably lies somewhere in-between $10 million-$17 million range.

How much does money mean to Napoli? That’s the question that will determine where he plays next season. The Indians could offer him a $12 million deal, but what if the Orioles offer him $15 million? For $3 million, would it make sense for Napoli to leave a place he’s comfortable with and a manager he likes playing for?

Don’t be shocked if Napoli takes such an offer to leave Cleveland. His playing days are rounding third and heading for home. If he has a chance to earn some serious money playing elsewhere, he almost has to take it, doesn’t he?

However, everything hinges on Trumbo. If he re-signs, Napoli likely won’t be heading to Baltimore because the O’s won’t have they money to make him an offer.

Home/Cleveland Sports