Mariners News: M’s Sign 1B/OF Efren Navarro to Minor-League Deal
The Seattle Mariners have effectively become the Los Angeles Angels of the north this offseason, and they added yet another former Halo on Wednesday.
The Seattle Mariners signed Efren Navarro to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training on Wednesday morning. The Baltimore Orioles purchased Navarro from the Los Angeles Angels in January, but he was cut loose by the O’s last week. Jerry Dipoto and Scott Servais are very familiar with Navarro from their time with the Halos. The 29-year-old is expected to see action at first base and in the outfield this spring in Peoria.
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Originally selected by the Angels in the 50th round of the 2007 draft, Navarro beat the long odds, and made his big league debut during the 2011 season. He appeared in just 8 games, hitting .200 across 12 plate appearances. Navarro failed to make it back to Anaheim in 2012 season, but he played 4 games with the Angels in 2013.
The UNLV alum earned a part-time role with the Halos in 2014. Navarro hit .245 with 1 home run and 14 RBI across 64 games. He added 10 doubles, 1 triple and 1 stolen base to his stat line. Navarro registered a .302 on base percentage and slugged .340 in 174 plate appearances.
Navarro made the Angels’ opening day roster in 2015, and was viewed as an important role player for Los Angeles entering the season. He saw action in 54 games last year, hitting .253 with 0 home runs and 5 RBI. Navarro posted a .295 on base percentage and slugged a dismal .301 through plate appearances. His pedestrian numbers prompted a demotion to Class-AAA Salt Lake City.
Overall, Navarro has slashed .246/.303/.324 across 280 career plate appearances in the Major Leagues. He has tallied 15 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run and 20 RBI through 130 games. Navarro is not the fleetest of foot either, as he has swiped just 2 bases during his big league career.
Despite his mediocre big league numbers, Navarro has actually been a very productive hitter in the minor-leagues. He sports a .300 batting average across nine seasons on the farm, and a .316 batting average in four years in AAA. Navarro spent the bulk of 2015 with the Salt Lake City Bees, where he slashed .329/.380/.442 with 2 home runs and 29 RBI through 72 games.
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The Lynwood, CA product is a versatile defender, as he has the ability to play first base and both corner outfield spots. He has seen more time at first base, and that is clearly his most comfortable position. Navarro has a .997 fielding percentage and a 9.04 range factor per 9 innings across 67 games at first base. His numbers in the outfield are not quite as strong, as he has a .987 fielding percentage and a 2.36 range factor per 9 innings.
Barring a phenomenal spring training, it appears Efren Navarro has no shot to crack the M’s opening day roster. Seattle’s starting outfield is locked in right now, but it appears the backup center field gig is up for grabs. However, Navarro’s inability to play center field takes him out of the running. Adam Lind is going to be the Mariners everyday first baseman against right-handed pitching. Jesus Montero, Gaby Sanchez, Dae-Ho Lee and Stefen Romero are all competing this spring to be Lind’s platoon partner. Navarro is a left-handed hitter, and doesn’t seem to fit the profile of what Seattle is looking for at first base.
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Dipoto has done a fantastic job of creating depth on the Mariners’ roster in 2016, and I believe that is why he brought in Navarro. I fully expect Navarro to begin the season in Tacoma with the Rainiers, but he could get the call to Seattle this summer if injuries strike at first base or in the outfield. Navarro is never going to be a star in the Emerald City, but his versatility could make him a valuable option off the bench for Servais.