5 potential MLB reunions that could be great fits

With speculation surfacing about the San Francisco Giants possible interest in reacquiring Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval, the idea of a reunion - although rumors have been refuted by the Giants - could make for a compelling homecoming.

The idea is so interesting it could also work out for other parties in similar situations, such as members of a large crop of free-agent talent looking for homes in 2017.

Here are five potential MLB reunions that could be great fits for both the clubs and players:

Carlos Beltran, Royals

Beltran may be 39 years old and on the verge of ending a fine big-league career spanning nearly two decades, but he's one of the more sought-after free agent hitters, and a reunion with the Kansas City Royals would be a spectacular way for the Puerto Rican to end his career. K.C. could use a designated hitter after Kendrys Morales departed for a three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Beltran's .513 slugging percentage last season was nothing to sneeze at. Beltran spent seven years with the Royals from 1998-2004, winning a Rookie of the Year award while posting an .835 OPS before a trade to the Houston Astros where he turned in one of the more memorable postseason performances of the new millennium.

Mike Napoli, Red Sox

Napoli's postseason pedigree alone could make him a tempting target for clubs in need of a power-hitting veteran who has the reputation as a good clubhouse leader. With David Ortiz retiring, the Red Sox could use a battle-tested designated hitter to provide support to their budding core, and if Dave Dombrowski is serious about not wanting to spend big bucks to fill the role, Napoli could be an option. The slugger won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2013 when he posted a 1.033 OPS in the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, and has also appeared in the season finale with the Texas Rangers (2011) and Cleveland Indians (2016).

Eric Thames, Blue Jays

A reunion between 30-year-old outfielder Thames - who absolutely decimated pitchers in the Korean Baseball Organization over the past three seasons to the tune of a 1.171 OPS - and the Blue Jays may seem like a long shot, but what MLB organization knows the slugger better than the one that drafted him? Thames was drafted by Toronto in 2008 and played two big-league seasons with the club before getting traded to the Seattle Mariners in '12. With the Blue Jays in need of a left-handed hitting outfielder, someone in their front office has to take a look at Thames after he hit 124 home runs and drove in 379 runs during his stint in Korea.

Ian Desmond, Nationals

The Nationals don't have a clear need at shortstop or in the outfield - where Desmond is now capable of playing - but a .684 OPS and a .209 batting average from Danny Espinosa last season can't be inspiring for Washington, especially as the window to win becomes shorter with Bryce Harper inching towards free agency in 2019. If the Nationals wanted to upgrade over Espinosa, a reunion with Desmond may work, as he could slot in as the team's starting shortstop or play in the outfield, allowing Trea Turner to move to his natural position.

Aroldis Chapman, Yankees

Chapman is going to get paid. It may not be the $100-million figure he's seeking, but it's surely going to supplant Jonathan Papelbon's $50-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011 as the richest ever signed by a closer. Chapman enjoyed playing in New York, has a ton of respect for the organization who treated him "first class," and would love to wear Yankees pinstripes yet again. New York has Dellin Betances slated as its closer for 2017, but the 28-year-old has been much more effective pitching in an eighth inning set-up role (1.65 ERA) as opposed to a ninth-inning closer's role (4.29 ERA) during his career.