Navarro's Injury

by pontormo on Apr 6, 2008 9:12 AM EDT

I was wondering whether anyone else had the same reaction on Friday night when Riggins went up to pinch hit for Navarro. I had been thinking, instead of watching Navarro hit a weak ground ball to second for a forceout or possible double play like he has done so many times, wouldn't it be wonderful to pinch hit for him now? When Riggins was announced I wasn't paying attention, and I assumed that Madden had by some miracle agreed with me. Only later did I hear about Navarro's injury. Navarro is the worst hitter I have ever seen in the big leagues. Not only do you know he is going to make an out in clutch situations, he seems incapable of hitting the ball out of the infield. He is picking up where he started the season last year. He always comes up with men on base.

The Rays desperately need a catcher who can hit, and to bring Longoria up from Durham.

Peace.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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He went 3-4 the first game of the season

Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!

by Sandy Kazmir on Apr 6, 2008 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

I assumed Navarro was hurt immediately

So much so that I got into a disagreement about it with a fellow bar patron who was trying to explain that Maddon is a genius, and that there is a reason he's in the dugout, and I was in the bar. Assuming for a second that Maddon just wanted to PH for Navarro, it would never be a good idea to do so in the 3rd inning, with no emergency catcher.

Now to finally answer your question. I think last year's first half stats cloud what a good player Navarro has been, and could be in the future. Navarro has shown flashes of stardom at the plate with LA and last year in the 2nd half. Riggans has never really shown the ability to hit major league pitching, though some catchers are late bloomers.

As for his "clutchiness", Navarro had a least one walk-off job last year, and I believe another grand slam against the Yankees.

The only reason to start Riggans over a healthy Navarro is for either his game calling ability (which I reserve judgment on) or to give Navarro a rest.

And yes, the Rays do need to bring up Longoria, though now that they've committed to their plan, I think its best to just be a good fan, bite my lip, and explain to everyone what morons they were this October.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 6, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

Elliot Johnson is our emergency catcher. Gotta love it.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 6, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

That's kind of scary

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 6, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope there is a play at the plate

and he rushes out and tackles the runner.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navy Stroking, 2pitchers1cup

by SRQman on Apr 6, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Navi is gonna have a good year, and he is good on defense.
Wait another week and see Riggans Average come down, then u will miss Navi...

Longoria
0-11 so far in the minors. =/
Willy aybar is doing ok.

Hello Kitty, #1 in your fantasy league. =p

by Boricua on Apr 6, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree completely with nearly everything you said, pontormo

But it's good to have you at the site. I hope you become a regular.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 6, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

Worst hitter you've ever seen is a bit hyperbolic

Nathan Haynes and Ben Zobrist have looked far, far worse, amongst others.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 6, 2008 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Travis Lee! FTW

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navy Stroking, 2pitchers1cup

by SRQman on Apr 6, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

More Navarro

Ben Grieve was also horrible, but at least he looked like he had the possibility of hitting the ball out of the infield as he took his called third strike. Zobrist and Haynes are not major league hitters--of course neither was Joey Gathwraite when he was with the Rays and he seems to be doing OK in KC. Riggans might not (probably isn't) the answer, but they need some people in the bottom of the order who can drive in runs. If you are going to have a weak hitting shortstop and/or catcher, they better be really, really good defensively. Is there another Molina brother out there somewhere? By the way, can anyone tell me why Pena bats third and Upton fourth instead of the other way around?

by pontormo on Apr 7, 2008 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions

"By the way, can anyone tell me why Pena bats third and Upton fourth instead of the other way around?"

Because the entire argument on batting three straight lefties is a moot point considering two out of our three actually hit lefties better last year, and Pena had an OPS over .950.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." - Robert S. Weider

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 7, 2008 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Pena hitting third

aside from the left right thing, most clubs would bat the player with more speed and a higher batting average third, and a slower player with more power fourth, no?

by pontormo on Apr 8, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions