The Indians have inked minors deals with infielder Ryan Flaherty and catcher Dioner Navarro, according to a club announcement. (H/t MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.) Both receive MLB camp invites.
Many Braves fans were encourage by a hot start to the 2018 season from Flaherty, though his early heroics never appeared sustainable and were largely a function of a .450 average on balls in play through his first 60 trips to the plate. Following that hot streak, Flaherty crumbled and hit .147/.223/.193 through season’s end. Flaherty, a career .216/.286/.347 hitter through parts of seven MLB seasons (1452 PAs) will give the Indians some depth at second base, shortstop and third base.
Navarro, meanwhile, didn’t appear in the big leagues or even in affiliated ball in either of the past two seasons. He’s a career .250/.309/.370 hitter in part of 13 MLB campaigns but will need to reestablish himself — be it in Spring Training or in Triple-A — after an underwhelming showing with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League in 2018. With the Ducks, Navarro batted .268/.299/.437 — albeit it in just 20 games.
Navarro is still playing??
Came here to say the same thing. Crazy to think when he came up as a Yankee in 2004 he was only 20 years old. Guy is only 32!
And he was in the trade that brought The Big Unit to NY
Your math doesn’t make sense. 2004 was 15 years ago, so if he was 20 when he came up, he’d be 35 now, not 32
That math doesn’t work….
Yes, today Feb 7, he turns 35…..
It’s Common Core math.
He probably said to himself I gotta get out of Venezuela. I’d rather play in the minors than stay here.
Welcome back Dioner Navarro to the majors.
Liked Navarro when he was with the Blue Jays. Although probably a long shot, hope he plays well and gives Cleveland something to think about before opening day.
Flaherty a possible utility guy until Chang is ready?
I’d guess Moroff since he’s already on the 40-man but it’s very possible
A battle is brewing in Goodyear! Oh, the excitement…..I can’t stand it. :)
Navarro is useful to them since they likely arent keeping the awesomely named Sicnarf Loopstok around (the team suspended him for the last half of last year without explanation, and he’s a 6 year minor league free agent after this year anyway). They needed a backup C for either Akron or Columbus. Flaherty I’m not as sure what they need him for.
Sicnarf needs to be on a major league team just because of that name alone…I would love to hear the announcers fumble through that one
Not widely known: Sicnarf’s name is an anagram for his real birth name: Francis Kotspool. Why he changed it? No one but Sicnarf knows.
Well god bless sicnarf for the good laugh
His name is Francis backwards. His dad is Francis and they reversed it to get his name. Sicnarf Loopstok is his birth name.
Why isn’t he listed in Baseball Reference?
You have to go to the minor league sight since he hasn’t made the majors yet.
Dolans Discounts Blue Light Specials!!!!!!
He loves players who are willing to work for $9.00 an hour plus tips.
Fact. And starting at second base your local WalMart greeter!!!!
Where’s the Outfield signings
Going to Spring Training with the motley crew they have in the OF mix is pure madness. On paper CLE has hands down the worst projected Opening Day OF in the majors.
Not just the worst… could be one of the worst in recent memory. Repulsive.
I’m fine with it.
another veteran of the reclamation factory Long Island Ducks. (Navarro) Gotta admit, thought he had retired by now.
Good to see Navarro trying to come back. I hope that this means that his wife is doing well as she was very sick and that’s part of why he’s been M.I.A. for awhile.
Not exactly the kind of news Indians fans want to hear.
#RIPFrank
Blockbuster deal . Way to go Tribe, now to really put some distance between you and the rest of the Central , ink Bartolo Colon to add some depth to the middle relief.
Missed Little Pudge. An ‘08 Ray. Owe that guy a beer.
Are any of the AL Central teams trying to make the playoffs?
Glad to see Navvaro getting another shot…he deserves one for nothing other than his smile…
Rachael Phelps is running the Tribe this year. “This guy is dead. Well cross him off the list then”.