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Rangers and Mike Napoli avoid arbitration with one-year deal

Cleveland Indians v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Mike Napoli of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the Cleveland Indians on September 6, 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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The Rangers and Mike Napoli avoided arbitration today by agreeing to a one-year, $5.8 million contract, according to to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

Napoli, who was just acquired from the Blue Jays for Frank Francisco earlier this week, requested $6.1 million and was offered $5.3 million from the Angels when arbitration figures were exchanged last Tuesday, so the two sides actually settled a little bit higher than the midpoint. That’s a nice way to build goodwill with a new acquisition.

The 29-year-old Napoli earned $3.6 million last season while batting .238/.316/.468 over 510 plate appearances, establishing career-highs with 26 homers and 68 RBI. It’s unclear how Rangers manager Ron Washington intends to use him, but he’ll likely see some time behind the plate, as well as designated hitter or first base against left-handed pitching.