Report: Red Sox sign Mike Napoli for 3 years, $39 million

UPDATE: The Red Sox have agreed to terms on a 3-year, $39 million deal with catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli.

The Red Sox appear to be close to signing free-agent catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli, according to a report from WEEI and other media sources.

Sox working hard trying to get Napoli.—
Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) December 03, 2012

#RedSox officials are talking about Mike Napoli like he's part of the team.—
Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 03, 2012

The deal is expected to be for three years.

The addition of Napoli to the Red Sox’s already deep collection of catchers should give fuel to speculation that the team will entertain trade offers for Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Ryan Lavarnway, while keeping recently signed $6.2 million backup catcher David Ross.

As @NickCafardo reporterd, #RedSox also will let Napoli catch some, too. Hard to imagine them not trading a catcher.—
Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 03, 2012