The update on Napoli is that there is no update on Napoli. What’s the deal with this? If he failed the physical, the Sox should stay away right? If he’s unwilling to budge on the contract terms or length, find another first baseman.

(Boston Herald) Right now there are two schools of thought on Mike Napoli.

The first is that the Red Sox and the free agent first baseman will reach some kind of agreement over the issues revealed in his physical (reportedly with his hip) and he’ll either sign his three-year, $39 million contract with language added to protect the Red Sox, or the two sides will renegotiate a shorter deal.

The second is that the Red Sox fear they’re looking at another Mike Lowell and rather than risk a breakdown, will simply walk away and perhaps engage free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, who thus far has been unable to score the three-year deal he seeks after winning a Gold Glove and driving in 100 runs for the Nationals.

Jen Royle of SB Nation reported last night that the Red Sox have remained in discussions with LaRoche. It should also be noted that they stayed in touch with Nick Swisher even after agreeing to a deal with Napoli (Swisher recently signed with the Indians).

The Red Sox’s inclination is to work something out with Napoli, and that desire appears reciprocal, since there has been no word of Napoli speaking to other teams.

But unless and until he signs on the dotted line, we’ll be left to wonder if his deal is a fait accompli, or on the verge of collapse.