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Mike Napoli appears to have played his last game for the Texas Rangers. General manager Jon Daniels told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News that the Rangers will not exercise Napoli's $11 million option and will instead pay him a $2.5 million buyout. The decision to cut ties was expected after Napoli, who turns 36 on Halloween, hit 29 homers but posted just a .193 batting average and .285 OBP. A catcher earlier in his career, Napoli has been used primarily at first base and as a designated hitter in recent seasons. Joey Gallo started 52 games at first base for Texas in 2017 and could see more extended time at the position next year. Napoli was in his third stint with the Rangers and also has played for the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. If Napoli does find a job next season, it will almost certainly be for less than the $6 million he made in 2017. -- Doug Mittler
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