By Matt Snyder The Cincinnati Reds have signed free agent catcher Dioner Navarro to a one-year, minor-league contract worth $800,000 -- with up to $200,000 available in incentives -- CBSSports.com insider Jon Heyman reports.
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Navarro, 27, was an All-Star for the Rays in 2008 but has fallen apart since then. He hit just .193/.276/.324 with five homers in 202 plate appearances last season for the Dodgers. In 754 plate appearances since 2008, Navarro is hitting .207/.267/.311.
It would appear Navarro is an insurance policy for the Reds. Highly-touted prospect Devin Mesoraco will get a shot quite soon and the Reds also have Ryan Hanigan. If it's decided in spring training that Mesoraco needs more time in the minors -- or he struggles in the majors and needs a demotion to regain his confidence -- Navarro and Hanigan could split time. It should be noted that Navarro is a switch hitter while both Hanigan and Mesoraco are right-handed, so it's possible Navarro gets some platoon time against right-handers at some point in the season.
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