Chicago Cubs Sign Dioner Navarro (UPDATE: Possible Big League Deal Worth $1.75 Million)

There was a time when Dioner Navarro was a catching prospect of the highest order (right up there, incidentally, with Jarrod Saltalamacchia). That was a long time ago, but Navarro has still carved out something of a big league career as a mostly-back-up catcher.

And now it looks like he’s going to be a mostly-back-up catcher for the 2013 Chicago Cubs.

His agents just announced on Twitter that the 28-year-old backstop has signed with the Cubs, on what I presume is either a big league deal for a small amount of money (terms have not yet been disclosed), or a minor league deal. Early guess/hope? The latter.

Navarro had his best year in a long time last year with the Reds, hitting .290/.306/.449, albeit in just 73 plate appearances. He spent most of his year at AAA, putting up a solid .832 OPS in the International League (not quite as hitter friendly as the PCL). In the years before 2012, however, he’d had a rough go of it in the bigs, with OPS+ marks of just 68, 49, and 54 in 2011, 2010, and 2009.

We’ll know more about the plan for Navarro when the terms of the deal are disclosed, but given his success last year and his switch-hitting bat, I wouldn’t be surprised if the plan is to pair him with Welington Castillo next year, with Castillo as the nominal starter (though it’s worth pointing out that Navarro, for his career, has been far better on the right side of the plate than the left). It’s similar to what I was thinking the Cubs could do with Saltalamacchia, about which I wrote just moments before this news came out.

If the Cubs somehow got Navarro on a minor league deal, we’ll have to see what the rest of the offseason holds. Steve Clevenger probably will be removed from the 40-man roster at this point, particularly if Navarro got a big league deal (and a 40-man spot). If he sticks in the organization, he’ll be at Spring Training, competing with, presumably, Navarro for the right to back up Castillo.

And, not to make today all about Matt Garza, but he and Navarro have a bit of a past.

UPDATE: Jon Heyman says it’s a deal worth $1.75 million, which suggests that it’s a big league deal (for about three times the minimum). That … surprises me. Navarro is certainly a capable big league back-up, but he’s probably light-hitting even for that class of player. He’s solid defensively, and it’s not a huge amount of money. Still, it’s a bit surprising. If it were a minor league/major league split deal, where, if he makes the big league team out of Spring Training, a $1.75 million salary might make more sense. But $1.75 million guaranteed up front to a guy who was some 40% below average offensively for three years before hitting decently in a whopping 73 plate appearances in 2012? That, again, is a surprise.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

Blake Snell’s Reasonable Price Tag? Why Jordan Montgomery Might Wait a Little Longer?

A couple updates on the top remaining - yup, still - free agent starting pitchers, lefties Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Although rumors picked up on Snell and the Astros late last week, no signing news dropped. It was surprising,...

Garrett Crochet Will Start on Opening Day for the White Sox, Marking an Extreme Rarity

We don't cover the White Sox around here in a particularly close way - maybe a touch more than other non-NL-Central clubs because of the intracity interest - but this was surprising and interesting enough for me to note. The...

Chicago Cubs Shortstop Prospect Jefferson Rojas Wants to Be Javy Báez

I haven’t exactly made it a secret that Jefferson Rojas is one of my favorite prospects in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. After debuting in the DSL at 17, Rojas skipped complex ball and wound up at Low-A Myrtle Beach...

Taillon Throwing and a Roster Benefit, Amaya Catching, Friedl Wrist, Williams, Alonso, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know, if Seiya really rakes, and Cody hits again, and if Nico and Happ get on base a ton and Busch turns out to be a stud, and if Dansby is above average and Amaya breaks out and Morel...

Spring Training Miscellany: Celebrate With a Green Beer, Happ Returns, Assad Solid, Cubs Win

The Cubs won their St. Patrick's Day game over the Rangers 8-6 today, and it's time to tip back a green one in celebration ... About what you'd want to see from Javier Assad today as he continues to stretch...

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ is Back!

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse this Chicago Cubs lineup? Don't miss out! For a limited time only, RECEIVE 10% OFF your...

The Third Cut Includes Mervis, Four Others

(Hear the song in your mind - it still fits!) The Chicago Cubs made their next set of cuts from big league camp today, sending out five players who were generally not expected to make the Opening Day roster. The...

Spring Leaders, Key Injuries, Rays Payroll, Luck of the Irish, and Other Cubs Bullets

A mighty fine St. Patrick's Day to you all. Although I've got a good bit of Irish in my blood, it's never been something I've connected to all that much. You can't really force it, but I kinda want to...

Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Sweep the Split-Squad Day

It was a split-squad day for the Cubs today, and they won both by a total of two runs. It was 4-3 over the Angels and 8-7 over the Royals. The only teams with a better spring record than the...

Latest News

Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks are -205 on the moneyline against the Buffalo Sabres (+170) on Tuesday, with this game taking place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-205)Underdog: Sabres (+170)Total: 6.5Best Canucks vs. Sabres Promo Codes[lasso...

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

more cubs news