Red Sox vs the AL East: designated hitters
By Conor Duffy
Sep 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro (30) hits an RBI single against Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays won 9-2). Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
4. Dioner Navarro, Blue Jays
An excellent 89-game stint with the Cubs in 2013 paved the way for Navarro, a career backup catcher, to sign a 2 year/$8M contract with the Blue Jays to serve as the team’s starting catcher. He didn’t have a spectacular season in that role, slashing .274/.317/.395, but considering his solid defense, his performance was certainly above-average. One year later, the Blue Jays have upgraded at the catcher position, signing Russell Martin to a 5 year/$82M contract, and with no other viable alternatives, will likely use Navarro as their designated hitter. A defined DH role could help him focus on his offense and we could be looking at a solid 2015 season from the 31-year old.