Rangers, Mike Napoli Avoid Aribitration

The Texas Rangers have signed Mike Napoli to a 1-year, $9.4 million deal, according to Jeff Wilson and confirmed by the team. Napoli had filed for $11.5 million, but the Rangers had counted with $8.3 million, so the deal comes in just under the halfway point. The deal allows each to avoid arbitration for now, though he does become a free agent after the 2012 season.

Napoli, 30, enters his seventh season and his second with the Rangers. His first five seasons as a pro were spent with the Los Angeles Angels. Playing in Arlington seems to agree with him, as 2011 was his best season, hitting .320 / .414 / .631. It was also his first season earning more than 5 wins above replacement, which is fantastic.

Napoli is a career .264 / .359 / .514 hitter, earning 16 WAR along the way.

• Twitter / @JeffWilson_FWST: #Rangers, Mike Napoli agre ...
  Rangers, Mike Napoli agree on one-year deal worth $9.4 million, avoiding arbitration.
• Twitter / @JimBowdenESPNxm: The Texas Rangers and Mike ...
  The Texas Rangers and Mike Napoli have agreed to terms on a one-year $9.4 million dollar contract as confirmed by the Rangers.
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