Mike Napoli, along with Nick Swisher and Cody Ross, are being targeted by the Red Sox. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Red Sox are in contact with catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielders Nick Swisher and Cody Ross, reports CBSsports.com’s Jon Heyman. Seeking a first baseman and two outfielders, the trio is emerging as the team’s top choice.

Napoli is talking with the Mariners and Rangers, but the Red Sox appear to be his favorite. If Napoli goes elsewhere, the Red Sox will likely pursue Adam LaRoche, given the high price of long-shot option Josh Hamilton.

Swisher and Ross are both likely drawing attention from a myriad of teams, including the Giants, Braves, Mariners, Orioles, Phillies and potentially others. The Red Sox have been trying to re-sign Ross since the end of the season.

The Orioles reportedly plan on targeting free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Orioles are currently setting their sights on a left fielder during free agency and plan to target Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, reports FoxSports.com.

Hamilton is on the Orioles’ list of targets for left field, according to a source with knowledge of the organization’s plans. Hamilton has started more games in left field than center over the past three seasons, and the Orioles have an opening there now that Nate McLouth has become a free agent.

Baltimore also has some interest in free-agent outfielder Cody Ross, the source said. Ross would be a cheaper option than Hamilton and had success in the American League East with the Boston Red Sox this year.

In the past three seasons with the Rangers, Hamilton, 31, has averaged a .952 OPS, 33 home runs and 107 RBI. Hamilton’s asking price reportedly is seven years and $175 million. Ross is seeking a three-year deal worth $25 million after hitting .267 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs in 130 games with the Red Sox last season.

Cody Ross reportedly will enter free agency after the midnight deadline. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

An industry source told WEEI that the Red Sox and Cody Ross will not reach an agreement before the midnight deadline, allowing the free-agent outfielder to sign with any team.

Ross batted .267 with 22 home runs, .326 OBP, .481 slugging mark and .807 OPS in 130 games in 2012.

While the Sox have expressed interest in retaining a player who proved comfortable in Boston and features a made-for-Fenway swing, GM Ben Cherington also hinted on Thursday (in an interview with WEEI’s Red Sox Hot Stove Show) that it seemed likely that Ross would explore the market.

“He’s in a better position this year than he was last year. That’s good for him. It creates a bigger challenge for us in trying to find a deal that works for him and works for us,” Cherington said. “We have talked, and talked a lot. Time will tell. … He’ll have options. We’ll have to weigh what it would take to sign him versus alternatives in the market.”

The Boston Red Sox are negotiating an extension for Cody Ross. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Red Sox and potential free-agent outfielder Cody Ross are moving closer to a new contract, according to a source in a report by Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, contract talks between the Red Sox and outfielder Cody Ross have gained “some momentum.”

Ross, who hit .267 with 22 home runs and played all three outfield positions in 2012, had preliminary in-season discussions toward a new contract. The team did not formally offer an extension to his one-year, $3 million contract that ends five days after the World Series ends.

The former Marlin was considered to be one of baseball’s best bargains of 2012 and one of the Red Sox’s most reliable performers in a tumultuous season.

The Boston Red Sox have dealt with a litany of injuries all season, which will leave them with a surplus once their wounded return to action.

Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are already on rehab assignments in the minors, and when two-thirds of Boston’s starting outfield returns, at least two of the players who have manned Fenway Park’s expanses this season will have to be moved.

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that Cody Ross, who signed as a free agent in the offseason and has hit .286 with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs and a .934 OPS in just 51 games, will not be one of them. Knobler writes that teams that are asking the Red Sox about their plans are being told that they intend to keep Ross.

That means that some combination of Daniel Nava, Scott Podsednik and Ryan Sweeney could be available. (Prospect Ryan Kalish would seem to be an untouchable at this point.)