The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed free agent 1B MIKE NAPOLI to a one-year Major League contract for the 2016 season.
Napoli, 34, owns a Major League career average of .253 (910-3590) with 191 doubles, 204 home runs, 577 RBI and 523 walks across ten seasons with the Angels, Rangers and Red Sox (.355/.482/.837 OPS). The Pembroke Pines, FL native has hit at least 17 home runs over each of the last eight seasons since 2008, one of just eight Major League players to make that claim. He has played in the postseason in 7 of the last 9 seasons since 2007 and owns a .248/.351/.434/.785 (36-145) slash line over 51 playoff games with 7 homers and 27 RBI, helping the Rangers to Game 7 of the 2011 World Series and Boston to the 2013 WS title.
He split 2015 between Boston and Texas after being acquired by the Rangers in early August. The right-handed hitting first baseman batted .295 (23-78) with 5 HR and 10 RBI in 35 games with Texas (.396/.513/.908 OPS), including a .324 (23-71) mark with the Rangers after August 15 as they surged to the American League West division crown. He batted .364 (20-55) against left-handed pitching with the Rangers and now owns a career mark of .278/.390/.527/.917 (291-1045) with 68 HR and 165 RBI vs. LHP. The 2012 A.L. All-Star hit a career-high 30 homers with Texas in 2011 and drove in a career-high 92 runs with Boston in 2013. His 4.34 pitches seen per career plate appearance rank 2nd among active Major Leaguers to Jayson Werth (4.38).
To allow room on the 40-man roster for Napoli the Indians have designated RHP KIRBY YATES for assignment.