Cleveland Indians signing Mike Napoli about respect

The Cleveland Indians signing of Mike Napoli has far more to do with his stature as a player than what he can bring to the team.

In theory, one of the last things that the Cleveland Indians would need would be a first baseman. Edwin Encarnacion was signed prior to the 2017 campaign, and Yonder Alonso was inked this offseason. The Indians certainly have both their first base and designated hitter positions covered by those players.

And yet, there was Mike Napoli, sitting in free agency with minimal interest. Napoli had been a key part of the Indians in 2016, with manager Terry Francona crediting him for helping the turnaround. Keeping his veteran presence in mind, the Indians have brought the Party at Napoli’s back to Cleveland, due to their respect for the player and to give him a chance to audition for another major league job.

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It is understandable why Napoli would not have much interest at this point in the offseason. He produced a mediocre .193/.285/.428 batting line, striking out 163 times in his 485 plate appearances. Napoli did manage to hit 29 homers, but considering the dramatic uptick in home runs last year, his power is not that enticing. At 36 years old, not many teams were interested in his services.

For Cleveland, bringing Napoli back is about more than his potential production. It is about his presence in the locker room and his leadership. It is about the respect that he commands throughout the game. And, for Francona, it is about giving a beloved veteran a chance.

Maybe Napoli makes good on this opportunity, having an explosive March and enticing a team to offer him a major league contract. Or, maybe this is the end of the line, and he is nothing more than what he was last year in Texas. Either way, he has a chance to go out on his terms, getting an opportunity to prove he can still be a dangerous bat in the lineup.

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The Cleveland Indians have brought Mike Napoli back, even if it is temporary. Maybe, if his playing career is, in fact, over, he can stay in Cleveland as a coach.