GOODYEAR, Ariz. — What endeared Mike Napoli to the Indians has landed the veteran first baseman back in the desert, surrounded by former teammates and coaches.

For at least the next month, Napoli can resume his daily card game with Jose Ramirez and his regular cribbage contests with Terry Francona. He can reminisce with Jason Kipnis about the wild October 2016 ride and the Jobu shrine the two constructed with miniature bottles of Bacardi.

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Francona assured Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso that Napoli — scheduled to take a physical at the Indians’ complex Tuesday afternoon — won’t be challenging them for their jobs. The Indians are simply extending the 36-year-old a favor, a minor-league pact that will permit him to audition for other big-league clubs. At the same time, the Indians think it’s beneficial for them, too. Napoli will serve as injury insurance and a clubhouse leader.

It’s that last part that really sold the Indians on the idea. ‌‌‌

“He had a big hand in our team transforming itself into a team that could possibly win the World Series,” Francona said.

Napoli had been training at the free-agent camp in Bradenton, Florida, waiting for a call from a team seeking his power. Instead, that call came from a team without a first-base vacancy, a team seeking his other qualities.

“It’s a situation where a player who is universally respected in our organization,” Francona said, “in our opinion, he shouldn’t be in that camp.”

Francona didn’t sugarcoat the situation when he spoke with Napoli. He told Napoli that even if he hits .500 this spring, his on-field performance probably won’t dictate whether the Indians have a spot for him. An injury to Encarnacion or Alonso might be his only path to Cleveland’s Opening Day roster. But he could certainly play his way into another team’s plans. Napoli could thrive in spring training, earn a major-league deal with a different team and wind up belting home runs against the Indians.

“There’s a decent chance we’re going to get him ready to have him go on another team and help beat us,” Francona said. “Saying that, I think we all felt like he deserved it. He’s such a pro, so special to us.”

For much of the 2016 campaign, Napoli was the pulse of the clubhouse, forging friendships with each of his teammates. Until a late-season tailspin, he anchored the center of the lineup, providing plenty of muscle out of the No. 4 spot.

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When the Indians signed Encarnacion the following winter, Francona deemed it bittersweet. He called Napoli to officially bid him farewell. Napoli proceeded to post a .193/.285/.428 slash line (and minus-0.5 fWAR) with the Rangers last season.

Napoli in 2016: 12.1% walk rate, 30.1% strikeout rate, 113 wRC+

Napoli in 2017: 10.1% walk rate, 33.6% strikeout rate, 81 wRC+

Now, he’s back with the Indians. So is his veteran counterpart from that unforgettable 2016 season, Rajai Davis. Both are on minor-league deals.

The Indians still value Davis’ speed, and they could have a need in the outfield if Michael Brantley and Brandon Guyer can’t heal on time. With Napoli, it’s more about his off-the-field presence and helping a guy who helped them morph into a championship contender.

“This is unique,” Francona said. “It’s been a little bit of a unique winter. All things considered, it’s a unique situation, it’s a unique player. It seems to make sense to all of us. I know we’ll all be excited to see him. It’s a weird game. Things happen. You never know.”

Photo: Mike Napoli (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)