Napoli to sign one-year deal with Red Sox


(Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

Catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli will sign a one-year, $5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, ESPN reported Thursday.

The deal could reportedly jump to $13 million due to incentives.

Napoli agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract earlier in the offseason but the deal was off because he failed his physical. The two sides reportedly agreed to shorter terms.

The Texas Rangers offered a better deal to retain Napoli, according to ESPN Dallas, but would have a more limited role in sharing playing time and at-bats with catcher A.J. Pierzynski, first baseman Mitch Moreland and designated hitter Lance Berkman.

Napoli spent the past two years with Texas and five with the Los Angeles Angels.

Last year, Napoli batted just .227 with 24 home runs, but in 2011 he hit .320 with 30 homers with a 1.046 OPS. He has seven homers with 17 RBI, a .710 slugging percentage and a 1.107 OPS in 19 career games at Fenway Park.