The Cubs have designated outfielder Efren Navarro for assignment, tweets Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. In his stead, the club has selected the contract of catcher Chris Gimenez. Fellow catcher Victor Caratini has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a related move.
The move probably isn’t related to the performance of Caratini (though he’s hardly lighting the world on fire with his .264/.304/.308 batting line) as much as it is to the contract situation of Gimenez. As Muskat notes in a separate tweet, the latter had an opt-out clause in his contract that he could have used if he wasn’t on the big league roster by June 1st. Navarro, then, may simply be a casualty created by the Cubs’ desire to preserve their catching depth.
Navarro’s actually played in parts of six seasons with the Angels, Tigers and Cubs, though he’s amassed just 355 plate appearances and posted a meager 77 wRC+ during that time. That’s obviously not particularly impressive, but even a 0.4 fWAR career to date is probably better than odds would suggest for a 50th round draft pick.
Gimenez, meanwhile, is an interesting add to the MLB roster if only for his relationship with struggling ace Yu Darvish. The two played together for the Rangers during parts of two seasons, and have a close relationship with each other. Perhaps working with Gimenez could go a little ways towards helping Darvish get back on track, though that’s obviously a largely intangible factor.
Gimenez would have been picked up immediately by some other team if they didn’t bring him up. Maybe he can get some work with Darvish now
Chris Gimenez can get some work in as a starter as soon as Sunday night when Yu Darvish faces the Giants in Wrigley Field.
On DL
I think this has a lot to do with getting Darvish on the right track as he has had a lot of previous success working with Jimenez.
Gimenez had an opt out if he’s not called up before June 1st
It’s little of both. Certainly the upcoming opt-out played a role but it’s not like Chris Gimenez is a better backup catching option than Victor Caratini who can not only hit better but is more familiar with the Cubs pitchers.
Needless to say, Yu Darvish can use a little help with an uninspiring start to his Cubs career. Perhaps Gimenez will be just what the doctor (psychiatrist?) ordered.
Is Caratini available via trade or do the Cubs consider him part of their future team? Asking for a friend.
If your friend works for the Orioles, he’s available. Obviously, with Contreras there, he’s not the long term solution.
“If your friend works for the Orioles . . . “
My “friend” works for a team that plays veeeery close to the Os without actually being the Os. What do you guys need?
Victor Caratini could be either. It’s more likely that he would get traded with Willson Contreras pegged as the Cubs core catcher. but the organization could still use a competent backup with most regulars limited to around 120 starts behind the plate.
If the Cubs do pursue Manny Machado this summer the Orioles would certainly have some interest in Caratini to backup starter Chance Sisko, in addition to Addison Russell replacing their star SS. It would be difficult to envision the Cubs pulling the trigger on such a deal for a rental, even one as impacting as Machado.
Caratini would also have solid value for the Cubs in a stand alone trade. What team wouldn’t be interested in a 24-year old switch-hitting catcher who can put up some numbers on offense and play decently enough at the most premium defensive position on the diamond? Similar to Contreras, Caratini had a pedestrian start to his pro career but turned things around with some stunning numbers at AAA Iowa last season. He’s hardly disappointed with the Cubs either since being recalled to spell Contreras.
Ask your friend what the other team is willing to offer. Theo Epstein traded Nomar Garciaparra for the right price.
Doesn’t Gimenez have good power?