Via Chris Cotillo: The Cubs are looking to trade backup catcher and former Yankees farmhand Dioner Navarro. Chicago traded Scott Feldman last week and Scott Hairston last night, so they have definitely started their selling off period in advance of the deadline. The Cubbies currently have the seventh worst record in baseball at 38-48.
Navarro, 29, had a breakout year with the Rays back in 2008 (105 wRC+), but he followed that up with a 56 wRC+ from 2009-2011. He resurfaced with the Reds last season and has hit .291/.338/.503 (124 wRC+) in 196 plate appearances since, including a .291/.358/.536 (141 wRC+) line in 123 plate appearances with the Cubs this year. Navarro is a switch-hitter who has historically fared much better against left-handed pitchers, something that fits perfectly with the Yankees’ needs. He is a below-average defender though.
The Yankees have passed on backup catcher upgrades all season, but perhaps Frankie Cervelli’s recent setback changes things. Navarro’s poor defense and lack of familiarity with the pitching staff are knocks against him, but his bat would be a huge upgrade over Austin Romine even if he reverts back to last year’s 96 wRC+ form. He’s owed less than $1M the rest of the way and will be a free agent after the season, so the risk is small. If the trade cost is reasonable, they should pounce. I suspect the Yankees will pass, however.
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