Rangers make qualifying offer to Hamilton, but not to Napoli
The Texas Rangers have made a $13.3 million qualifying offer to outfielder Josh Hamilton, but they did not make a qualifying offer to catcher Mike Napoli, MLB.com reported Friday.
The qualifying offer to Hamilton was expected, because it allows the team to receive compensation with draft picks if Hamilton turns down the offer to become a free agent and winds up signing with another team.
Hamilton has until next Friday to decide whether to accept the Rangers' offer. If he accepts, it would keep him with the Rangers for one more year.
However, few expect Hamilton to accept the Rangers' offer.
The amount of the qualifying offer is the average of the previous year's top 125 free-agent salaries. This year that amount is $13.3 million.
Hamilton, 31, is expected to be one of the most sought after free agents on the market. He hit .285 with 43 homers and 128 RBIs in 2012.
The Rangers are still interested in re-signing Napoli, but didn't want to offer him $13.3 million to accept a qualifying offer. Napoli, 31, made $9.4 million in 2012, when he hit .227 with 24 homers.
