Jays sign Dioner Navarro to two year deal.

[Osiris]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/407517064476499968[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/407517069002162176[/tweet]

[spykelee]

On the surface, seems like a nice deal. Certainly will not miss JPK

[Michael Bradley]

I guess this means JPA is traded or non-tendered some time today.

Not sure about Navarro. He was terrible for a few years with the Rays (JPA level terrible), but was good last season. It's only two years and hopefully not for too much money, but it wouldn't surprise me if JPA outhit him next season. It really depends on whether Navarro figured something out in 2012 and he will hit at a higher level from here on out. If he does, then it's a solid short-term move. If he reverts back to his 2009-11 days, then he's 2013 JPA minus Twitter.

[YogiStewart]

looking back, i really wish the Jays kept Buck. would rather have Buck for last year than Navarro for next year.
still not positive if/how this marks the end of JPA

[TheMainEvent]

Dioner's sucked for more than a few years, so I'm not expecting much. I expect last season to be a one-time thing. But even in his worst year, his OBP was 260-ish, which is fine with me. He also strikes out at about half the rate Arencibia has, so that means less wasted at bats. And if I remember correctly, his defense is pretty good. The only thing we should remotely miss are the 20 HRs from the catcher spot.

[Wo1verine]

Hows his pitch framing? I really don't care about his hitting, TBH

[Wo1verine]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/407524908256997376[/tweet]

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Decent signing all things considered. He at least makes much better contact and has shown some growth over the past few years, though I expect he won't be a .300 hitter again, plus he's worked with some pretty good pitchers over the years.

[Secueritae]

Dioner's sucked for more than a few years, so I'm not expecting much. I expect last season to be a one-time thing. But even in his worst year, his OBP was 260-ish, which is fine with me. He also strikes out at about half the rate Arencibia has, so that means less wasted at bats. And if I remember correctly, his defense is pretty good. The only thing we should remotely miss are the 20 HRs from the catcher spot.

JP had so many missed Sac-Fly opportunities this year, instead Striking out and making it runner on third with 2-outs. Dioner should be able to drive in a few more than JP given the similar situation.

[Wo1verine]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi/status/407518660509851648[/tweet]

[Wo1verine]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/407534873747152896[/tweet]

[Strav]

Jp makes sense for the Cubs as a backup now no? - packaged in a trade for their SP on the block.

[whysoserious]

What could you get for JPA though?

He's still relatively young and has power. Are there any teams deperate for a catcher and how does he compare to what's left on the FA market is the question.

[Wo1verine]

Mike Wilner thinks we are paying $4M to Navarro to be our back up catcher.

[Duffman100]

Mike Wilner thinks we are paying $4M to Navarro to be our back up catcher.

Obviously we're starting Thole.

[BigLeagueChew]

In 10 seasons , Navarro has a combined WAR of 4.9

Don't really like this signing.

[dagger]

In 10 seasons , Navarro has a combined WAR of 4.9

Don't really like this signing.

If he can do better than JPA, it's okay. It's not major money, and it's not a long deal. It buys time for A.J. Jimenez to work on his offence in Triple A. Look past WAR at the strategic alignment. The team will non-tender JPA, or at least so says Shi Davidi. If so, the Jays have hopefully made a modest improvement at C without a significant outlay of cash or assets, allowing them to focus on starting P and second base.

[dagger]

Mike Wilner thinks we are paying $4M to Navarro to be our back up catcher.

It has to be to back up Thole because Shi Davidi says the Jays are non-tendering JPA.

[satyr9]

In 10 seasons , Navarro has a combined WAR of 4.9

Don't really like this signing.

I'm not a huge fan either, but I'm honestly not the least bit worried about WAR for the C. Although no one should get excited by his 2013, that's obviously a tiny sample with an outrageous BABIP, he's a bad hitter. Still I think he's solid defensively and I think this really comes down to what they think of him as a staff manager.

I really do give JPA some blame for our recent starter under performances. Starters are supposed to work as a tandem with their C and I promise that none of the guys starting for the Jays the last few years have felt particularly supported by JPA and his obvious pea brain. That's of course just my opinion about JPA and I am not in a position to comment on Navarro's efficacy – although I do like TB's starter consistency while he had the job, but I hesitate to give him too much credit as those were some pretty solid guys – but if AA gets this right, he can keep his 0.5 WAR by solidifying and vastly improving the dynamics of the starting staff.

I do like that he fits with Thole offensively. I'm not a fan of platooning C's so much as I like the idea of them sinking with certain starters instead, but Thole is better against RHP and Navarro against LHP, so there's some synergy there.

[Wo1verine]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi/status/407575277842092032[/tweet]