Cape Breton Post

Navarro confirms he wants Jays to trade him

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DUNEDIN, FLA. (CP) — Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro, facing an uncertain future with the arrival of Russell Martin, confirmed Monday that he wants out.

The 31-year-old from Venezuela said he had asked the American League team for a trade back in November when Martin was signed to an US$82-million, five-year contract.

Navarro says nothing has changed. He wants to go to a team where he can play every day.

He says he holds no grudges and will work hard the whole spring, hoping an opportunit­y comes his way. But he acknowledg­ed he was frustrated and a little disappoint­ed that nothing had happened in terms of a new home.

“I don’t know when did it go wrong, if anything did go wrong,’’ Navarro said of his time with Toronto. “I’m just going to be ready and do my job.’’

Navarro, who hit 274 with 12 home runs and 59 runs batted in last season, faces being a designated hitter and backup catcher with the Jays.

While Navarro was profession­al and polite in speaking to the media, his desire to leave the club was hardly the opening spring training message the Jays wanted. Still manager John Gibbons, who spoke to the media before Navarro, said he understood his catcher’s frustratio­n.

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