29 replies to this topic

[Tucker Blair]

The Orioles have acquired Yamaico Navarro from the Pirates for Jhondaniel Medina, the team announced. To make room on the 40-man roster, Stuart Pomeranz was designated for assignment.

[JeremyStrain]

UTL guy, little bit of pop, good eye. Best case year you're looking at .290/.350/.425, hasn't been able to crank it up to that level in the ML though.

Depth move, will start at AAA. 2B/SS/3B/OF

[RichardZ]

The Orioles have acquired Yamaico Navarro from the Pirates for Jhondaniel Medina, the team announced. To make room on the 40-man roster, Stuart Pomeranz was designated for assignment.

Interesting. Does Navarro have any options left? That's a big key. Also, if Reynolds, Teagarden, and Pearce are going to be non-tendered wouldn't you just do it now so you don't have to 'DFA Pomeranz? Navarro is versatile and actually showed some offense in the minors. Just not sure why they had to DFA Pomeranz and if Navarro gets exposed and possible lost if he doesn't make the team.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Were Stu's injury concerns such that he'd be a concern to provide any value for us in 2013?

[Tucker Blair]

My thoughts:

Medina has solid stuff, but still has a lot of work to do and is still very far down the pipeline. I see him more of a middle-man, and doubt he ever sticks as a SP. Certainly about the right price for Navarro, whom offers the Orioles some depth up the middle since they essentially have nothing in the upper minors.

Nothing to get worked up over. Pomeranz was nice last year, but they have solid depth in the pen, and he is expendable I guess. Not like he's gone yet anyways.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Navarro

DOB 10/31/87
Bats Right, Throws Right

In the Minors, he played: SS-336, 3B-116, 2B-40, LF-22, RF-10, 1B-3, CF-1

2012 AAA Indianapolis: 222 ab's, .279 baa, .366 on-base, .491 slugging, (.857 OPS), 9 hr's, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 35 rbi, 32 bb's, 41 k's.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sox Prospects:
http://soxprospects....rro-yamaico.htm

Scouting Report: "Not initially a heralded signing, Navarro has impressed the Sox brass during his rise up the organizational ladder. He has an athletic build for a shortstop, with a little bit of bulk. At the plate, he makes good contact and generates great loft off his bat, resulting in a lot of hard liners. Above-average power for a middle infielder. Quick wrists, nice bat speed, great balance. Hits fastballs better than breaking balls. A little too aggressive at the plate, could stand to be more selective. Average speed. Has the tools to be a plus defender at shortstop and third base, also has some experience at second base. Sure glove, above-average arm, excellent fluidity. But the focus and effort is not always there defensively. He has also had some problems with executing double plays, but that seems to be improving. Entertaining to watch, turns a lot of gems in the field with an Ozzie Smith-like electricity. To expand his versatility, the front office began giving Navarro reps at all three outfield positions with Pawtucket in 2011."

[Tucker Blair]

Pomeranz was a nice find last year, but he's dealt with injuries his entire career and hasn't shown any consistency year-to-year. Hopefully he is not claimed, would love for him to stay within Orioles organization. In reality, he is a dime-a-dozen type that they really had stashed for depth.

Just to show how little depth the Orioles have up the middle in the upper minors:

Ryan Adams is suspended, Blake Davis is gone. Rojas is gone (I think?)
Ty Kelly could play 2B or 3B maybe, but he's not very good at 2B.
Buck Britton is a better OF than 2B.
Schoop obviously can handle a SS/2B spot at AA or AAA, but then after that is pretty barren. None of the lower minor guys are ready to make a jump yet.

I expect more depth brought in up the middle still. Guys they can stash at AAA. Navarro or Flaherty can be optioned to AAA and fill a hole there while providing depth.

[BobPhelan]

OBP, some pop, versatile. Nice depth. How's his defense considered?

[SportsGuy]

What do you think this means for Flaherty?

[JeremyStrain]

OBP, some pop, versatile. Nice depth. How's his defense considered?

Good at multiple positions. Strong arm. Biggest negatives seem to be mental.

[bnickle]

What do you think this means for Flaherty?

More competition. I 've always thought Flaherty would probably start in AAA. This just makes it more likely.

[BSLChrisStoner]

More competition. I 've always thought Flaherty would probably start in AAA. This just makes it more likely.

I agree on the competition angle, but if Casilla is starting at 2nd (should Roberts not be able to go), I'd think Flaherty would be more likely to backup Casilla than Navarro.

[bnickle]

I agree on the competition angle, but if Casilla is starting at 2nd (should Roberts not be able to go), I'd think Flaherty would be more likely to backup Casilla than Navarro.

It seems Navarro is mostly a left side of the Inf guy. The intrigue with Flaherty for me is whether they keep him at 2b. Assuming he starts in AAA, is he the reg 2b there or do they move him to 3b. This move tells me the O's probably would like to keep Flaherty at 2b.

BTW...I'm assuming Roberts is healthy coming out of ST. He'll definitely be on the 25 man roster to start the seaosn if that's the case. That's why I believe Flaherty will start in AAA. If Roberts doesn't break camp with the big club then I agree with you that Flaherty is more likely to make the team than Navarro.

[clapdiddy]

OK...conspiracy theorist here! Well...not really...just throwing ideas around!

Could we be looking to deal Hardy? We've got a lot of depth in infielders, and I'd have to imagine Hardy's value would be pretty high.

[bnickle]

OK...conspiracy theorist here! Well...not really...just throwing ideas around!

Could we be looking to deal Hardy? We've got a lot of depth in infielders, and I'd have to imagine Hardy's value would be pretty high.

That's what SG pimping a Hardy trade hard will do. I'll be shocked if they move Hardy. I think he is 99% to be on the O's roster for '13. In fact I'll take SG to the game and buy him a beer if we do trade him this offseason.

Navarro is just more depth that DD loves to add to the 40 man roster. Insurance, with some upside. Like Valencia or Antonelli last year.

[SportsGuy]

The interesting thing here is they just got Valencia to be the third baseman at AAA...and now you add another ML ready third baseman?

I get that one will likely be in AAA and the other in the majors...I just wonder if there is any thought that either of these guys could handle third at the big league level...full time?

[SportsGuy]

OK...conspiracy theorist here! Well...not really...just throwing ideas around!

Could we be looking to deal Hardy? We've got a lot of depth in infielders, and I'd have to imagine Hardy's value would be pretty high.

And this is what I was just alluding to.

Now, I agree with bnick...I don't think he gets traded..I just find it interesting that this is the second third baseman we have added this week.

Again, it's likely just depth and I doubt anyone would want either of these guys playing everyday at third but Navarro has some decent MiL stats and if his defense is good at third, maybe he could be a stop gap to save some money?

Edit: Navarro could also just go to AAA and play SS.

[BobPhelan]

Good at multiple positions. Strong arm. Biggest negatives seem to be mental.

Thanks. I'm perfectly fine with this move.

[bnickle]

The interesting thing here is they just got Valencia to be the third baseman at AAA...and now you add another ML ready third baseman?

I get that one will likely be in AAA and the other in the majors...I just wonder if there is any thought that either of these guys could handle third at the big league level...full time?

I think they are hoping that happens but not banking on it in anyway. Clearly they are still guys with some potential. Maybe if one of them really reestablishes themselves in AAA next year it makes moving Hardy next offseason easier with the thought of giving one of these guys the 3b job again or maybe Hardy or Machado go down and one of these guys fill in at 3rd for a long stretch and plays well. That also would make it easier to trade Hardy next offseason. I just don't think these guys(Navarro and Valencia) have any impact on the plans for the starting SS and 3b jobs for '13. Those are Hardy and Manny's spots. Also, while it's a lock Manny begins the year as the starting 3b it's certainly possible he is struggling a month or so into the season and the O's send him down to AAA for awhile. He is a 20 yr old who skipped AAA. These guys are insurance, but insurance with upside.