Arizona Diamondbacks News: No Interest in Dioner Navarro
For those asking about the Arizona Diamondbacks possibly acquiring Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro before the season starts, stop asking because its not going to happen.
Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart said the team is not interested in the veteran backstop according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
#Dbacks Dave Stewart says Dioner Navarro is not a possibility for team. Salary doesn't fit.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) March 23, 2015
#Dbacks GM Dave Stewart: "Right now quite frankly we can’t take on another $5 million."
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) March 23, 2015
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported today that Stewart views Tuffy Gosewisch as the starting catcher because their is no one else to take on the job.
Dave Stewart said Tuffy Gosewisch looks like Dbacks starting catcher. "Who else is it going to be?"
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) March 23, 2015
Piecoro also reported that the Diamondbacks view Gerald Laird as a backup, but Blake Lalli is still in the mix.
Stewart also said they view Laird as a backup but stressed that Lalli still in the mix for that job.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) March 23, 2015
My Thoughts:
There is a lot to dive into, and that is what is great about spring training. There are always so many story-lines, and they can all be interpreted in different ways.
First of all, it doesn’t surprise me at all that the Diamondbacks aren’t interested in Navarro.
As it stands right now, the Diamondbacks payroll for 2015 is right around the $91-$92 million dollar range, and that is right where the front office wants it to be.
As Stewart says, the Dbacks don’t want to take on the $5 million owed to Navarro this year, and even if the Blue Jays are willing to take on the majority of the contract, I don’t think Stewart wants a one year rental especially when Peter O’Brien is expected to be ready by the start of the 2016 season.
Stewart has strongly endorsed Gosewisch, and why not. He doesn’t have a lot of major-league experience, but he proved to be a above average defensive catcher, and the Diamondbacks don’t need him to hit with the way the lineup is setting up.
Gerald Larid has made the most of his opportunities this spring, and I think he is perfect in the backup catcher role.
He is a 11 year veteran, and he has a reputation of being a great defensive catcher.He has worked great with the young pitchers this spring, and he controls the game really well.
Lalli is a 31 year old journeyman that has played a total of 22 games in the big leagues. He has looked good this spring, but ultimately I think Larid will get the backup job.