Blue Jays sign Dioner Navarro

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with catcher Dioner Navarro, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports (via Twitter). The deal is over two-years, and worth about $8 million. The contract is currently pending a physical.

Navarro, 30 in February, had a good offensive season last year with the Cubs. He posted a .300/.365/.492 slash line with 13 home runs and 34 RBI in 89 games. He posted the best OPS of his career in 2013 (minimum 200 PA), and his best since his 2008 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays. Is it sustainable? His .307 BABIP in 2013 was the second-highest mark of his career (min. 200 PA) second to only the 2008 season, where he posted a .318 mark. 

Navarro's defense is definitely something to take note of. Over his career, Navarro has called relatively good games. His pitchers' ERA while he's catching is 4.26, a tick higher than the MLB average of 4.22. He throws out 29% of runners stealing, 2% higher than the MLB average of 27%. His defense is what has kept him in the majors in down offensive years.

In Navarro, the Blue Jays are getting a good quality catcher that could provide some offense. For only $8 million, Navarro is definitely worth the risk. He'll likely be leading Toronto's catching staff; J.P. Arencibia could become a free agent today. Blue Jays catchers had a 27th worst .583 OPS in 2013.