I know I'm asking about the backup catcher. But I don't get it.

Navarro's a guy who hits .300 with a .365 OBP and a .856 OPS. Also hits 13 HR's.

But for some reason, the decision is made to let him walk. And then Theo sends cash to the Royals for a guy who hit .180 with a .349 OBP and a .719 OPS. Hit 1 HR.

Are they that financially strapped that they couldn't pony up the cash to keep a clearly better player? And what a shock that 5 teams have contacted Navarro already.

Probably didn't fit Bernsie's really smart metric.

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Elections have consequences.

It's best for your mental health to not ask yourself these kinds of questions. If possible, don't pay attention to any roster moves or front office talk at all. Accept the fact we'll never see a World Series in our lifetime and just use the games as something to watch because you don't have anything better to do.

Probably felt bad for him wasting his backup talents on a shit team?? I think they do something else with the position this year. I've seen the Wieters and company for Shark rumors being floated.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

you gotta check the SABRmetrics on this... is there a dWAR for kottaras that's > dioner? the only thing i could think of that makes any sense is that whilst navarro was putting up offensive #s in his limited time, maybe he wasn't as good at defense as you'd ideally want a backup catcher to be; with navarro "breaking out" for his "big" season last year with the aforementioned offensive #s it was assumed that 1) he'd cost more and since they're milking the theo brand for as much as they can another $2mil saved is another $2mil earned for the ricketts creepshow clan? and/or 2) perhaps navarro's offense wins you another 2-3 games and the cubs are slicker than garpax in knowing that 2-3 wins could be the difference between drafting 2nd or 4th and if given a choice, dude, these are the chicago baseball cubs. they stockpile high draft picks as the 1 and only means of PROPERLY rebuilding.....

otherwise, yeah, this makes no damn sense. you get a backup catcher on the cheap putting up #s like that... shoot, unless you're gonna go spend $$$ on saltalamacchia or someone to be your primary backstop, or unless dioner navarro is bad at the calling-games/catching/throwing-out-runners/defense game to the point where you wouldn't wanna explode the chance he could go off and have a geovany soto type career year behind the plate..... i have no idea why the fuck you'd do this other than the "conspiracy theory" (???) that the cubs are so committed to losing having one of their vets go off and produce on the cheap and not be able to be traded.... it makes you wonder if they're going to get a 3rd-4th round compensation pick to make up for a class E free agent leaving your team? baffling to say the least.

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I hope the Sox sign him to be a starter. If he could hit .235 and 15 it would be a huge upgrade.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

I think this guy was signed to fortify the AAA roster in case of injury,they can call him up. At least,I'm hoping that's why. I think the Cubs will sign or trade for another catcher.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Navarro is 29 and last year was his best offensive year BY FAR! I dont know what kind of money he was looking for, but I am guessing it probably isnt backup guy money.

I can only assume this is why Theo let him walk.

Navarro isnt a guy who just needs a chance either. He was one of TB's stars of the future and started for 3 or 4 years.

I understand it, I just dont like it. Why sign this guy if you know you are not going to be good this year.

Probably a great thing for Navarro too, the guy is 29, coming off his best year, he never signed a bigger deal, he now gets the chance to sign for 3 years for $12 , $15 mill.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

34 RBI and 3 of his 13 HR came during 1 game against the Sox.

2008 he was an All Star; 120 games, .295avg, 7HR, 54 RBI, 27 doubles. 2013 might have been good for him, but it was not his best "BY FAR"

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get a room you two! that yule log is already burning brightly at 930am on freakin november 29th for fuck's sake!

does terry even burn the yule logs anymore? off hte top of my head i swear it's been retired for a year or two =(

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He probably feels he can be a starter, which he wouldn't be with the Cubs. I thought Navarro's was strength was always defense.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I don't think he is playing everyday with that body.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

That's exactly right. He wants a BIG raise and he wants to sign somewhere he will get a chance to play more often. With Wellington Castillo likely to get 140 starts (barring injury) it made no sense to sign Navarro to a big raise for him or the team. They want a low salary guy to play once a week only.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Asked and answered. Theo's not investing in multi-year contracts for backup catchers.

Why would any team do that?

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Well nobody would. But Peoria Matt asked about a backup catcher. And to keep Novarro as a backup, they would've had to be $8 million over two years.

Had no idea he was asking for that much money.

Now it makes sense.

Anyone think Theo makes a run at JP Arencibia?