Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Navarro Say Navarro Again

Trying to corner the market on very large baseball players, the Dodgers are nearing a deal to return Dioner Navarro to Los Angeles:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- In a development that probably eliminates any chance two-time All-Star and former Gold Glove catcher Russell Martin will remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the club is close to a one-year agreement with the catcher Martin replaced more than four years ago, free agent Dioner Navarro, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Navarro, who will turn 27 before spring training, will share time behind the plate with Rod Barajas, with Barajas probably getting about 60 percent of the starts, the source said. The move also means A.J. Ellis is almost certainly destined to once again begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Navarro became the Dodgers' primary catcher after he was called up from the minors midway through the 2005 season. The club had acquired him from the New York Yankees the previous winter in a three-team trade that resulted in Randy Johnson going from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Yankees.

But Navarro got off to a slow start with the Dodgers in 2006, resulting first in the highly touted Martin being called to the majors for the first time and eventually in Navarro being traded to Tampa Bay in a four-player deal that summer. Navarro then spent 4½ seasons with the Rays, helping them reach the World Series in 2008.

A defensive specialist with a reputation for being a good handler of pitching staffs, Navarro hit just .194 with one homer and seven RBIs with the Rays in 2010, resulting in him losing the starting job, and he actually spent several weeks at Triple-A Durham before returning to the majors for the September roster expansion.

Great, we could use a .194 hitter on our squad. Shoot, even Russell Martin isn't that bad.

37 comments:

Nostradamus said...

What.
The.
Fuck.

MR.F said...

Great title, though.

Nostradamus said...

Cold comfort, that.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

"Cold misty morning I heard a warning born in the air."

Wicks said...

El Gordo Is Back!!!!!!

spank said...

Because he was sooooo good the first time around.

Jason said...

6 starting pitchers, 6 outfielders, 3 catchers and (the size of) 2 second basemen. Ned realizes the maximum active roster size is only 25 right?

rbnlaw said...

J. Mart will still be back starring in "Platoon 2: Redemption at Third Base."

No word on who will play Casey Blake's shrinking OBPS.

rbnlaw said...

. . .oh, and is Ned done cleaning out the bargain bin at the winter meetings? Does he have Jamie Moyer's number?

Josh S. said...

rbn: He's looking at Bill Hall, so, no.

Steve Sax said...

I was pretty proud of the post's headline, I admit. Added some extra umph with a hack photoshop collage.

Kyle Baker said...

The cake and fudge crowd is really taking over.

I meant the team, not this space.

Kyle Baker said...

@Jason

And a partridge in a pear tree...

Josh S. said...

I run with the beer and chips crowd.

Josh S. said...

Same result, though.

Josh S. said...

And, uh, "run" is not the right word.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least Ned wants to contribute to the local economy. They'll have to double the post-game spread now.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Navarro means "the treeless country."

Not sure where the pun goes from here.

Steve Sax said...

Inroad Overran

Steve Sax said...

DIONER NAVARRO: REDO OR NIRVANA?

Steve Sax said...

RUSSELL MARTIN: IT RUNS SMALLER

Steve Sax said...

ROD BARAJAS: BAD JAR OARS

Steve Sax said...

okay i'll stop now

Josh S. said...

JON GARLAND: JARGON LAND

Josh S. said...

Uh, that was Jeremy's Iron-esque.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

VICENTE PADILLA: DIVELLICATE PAN

Nostradamus said...

Clayton Kershaw?

Holy Cat Wankers (Batman!)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I certainly don't want to read that issue.

Nostradamus said...

I'm unreasonably proud of that one.

Nostradamus said...

Oh, snap! Top of the recent commenters list. What the fuck could I possibly have to say?

Josh S. said...

CHAD BILLINGSLEY: LILLY DIGS A BENCH

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

JAMES LONEY: JOY LEANS ME

spank said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The rich get richer, and the Arte get Arte-er.

So when does the Plaschke piece come out saying Moreno screwed the pooch?

spank said...

@ Mlasc

You have to give Plaschke time to take his nose out of Moreno's ass before a retort.

Josh S. said...

See, I told you something was up with the Angels. I doubt they sign anyone big.

And the Yanks' biggest signing will end up being Jetah. Book it.

Nostradamus said...

[Scooby-doo torture post]