Attention MLB general managers in need of depth behind the dish; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro is a likeable commodity that has a ‘for sale’ sign attached to his name. Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos spoke rather bluntly about being open to dealing him during a media scrum the other day.
For Anthopoulos to speak forwardly in this regard is rare, as he typically does not divulge his plans to the media or fans. He doesn’t announce who he’s trying to trade off his roster and he almost never leaks out players that he is interested in acquiring. It has not been Anthopoulos’ modus operandi to date.
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Now that he has somewhat leaked his intentions, you have to believe that something is close to being accomplished sooner rather than later in the trade department. Just prior to a home weekend series where the Jays swept the Houston Astros, AA spoke about his interest in free agent reliever Rafael Soriano and that Navarro is a trade chip that could be in play.
Right now, there are 10 catchers in the Major Leagues who are on the disabled list for a variety of injuries. What teams could be targeting Navarro is the first question? The Diamondbacks, Braves, Red Sox, White Sox, Marlins, Mariners and Rays are just some that have shown to be in need of an upgrade behind the plate.
The Blue Jays are spending close to $12 million less on the payroll this season versus the payroll of 2014. There has always been a need to upgrade the bullpen in Toronto and Anthopoulos has never denied that.
Nearly two weeks ago, word leaked out that Arizona Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart had targeted Navarro’s services from Toronto. Navarro returned to the lineup during the second game of the weekend series against the Houston Astros. The Blue Jays won 7-2. Perhaps it was a possible showcase of Navarro’s skills to the other 29 GM’s. Over the past six games, catcher Russell Martin has caught three of six games for the team. But the D-backs recently made a trade with the Mariners to acquire another catcher.
Anthopoulos did state that if Toronto were to sign Rafael Soriano, it will not happen until the conclusion of the June draft, which wraps up after a series against the Miami Marlins in Toronto this week. He also stated that the same applies to any possible Navarro trade. Nothing will happen until at least the middle of next week.
“I really try to stay away from all that,” Navarro stated prior to the Saturday game against the Astros with reference to trade rumors as per Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star. “The season started, this is my team and I want to do whatever. I’ll do anything for my team. Whatever they need me to do, I will do. But like I said at the beginning of spring training, I just wanted to play every day. I didn’t put up a tantrum. I just said my piece.”
Navarro has not shown any signs real of disharmony towards his Blue Jays family. He has played when he’s been called upon. His statistics are down in comparison to the 2014 season due mostly to injuries sustained. This is the final year of a two year deal that he signed to begin the 2014 season.
Toronto could use and flip Navarro for a proven outfielder. In the field, the outfield has been an issue for most of the campaign. Newly acquired Michael Saunders has barely played due to injuries. Jose Bautista was hurt for a portion of the season and was limited to starts at designated hitter prior to an inter-league series against the Washington Nationals last week.
Hometown boy Dalton Pompey started with the big league club but did not last long. He was shipped down the QEW highway to Buffalo to play with the Bisons and he has since been demoted again to Double-A. Toronto has routinely had Chris Colabello and Danny Valencia play out of position in the outfield as well.
Alex Anthopoulos has proven to be extremely patient. He knows what his clubs needs are. Until he gets a trade done, he will not be rushed into making a deal to appease Navarro. The Toronto Blue Jays are currently riding a five game win streak and have the best run differential (+45) of any team in the division. There appears to be no immediate pressure for Anthopoulos to act swiftly.