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Rays Win Navarro Arbitration Case

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Dioner Navarro made the American League All-Star team in 2008, when he batted .295 with seven home runs and 54 RBIs.

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2009

Updated: 02/10/2009 09:44 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays got the result they wanted in their arbitration case with Dioner Navarro, but the most important outcome might have been that the parties emerged with mutual respect intact.

Navarro's agent, Kendall Almerico, had made a point to warn the Rays that any undue trashing of the All-Star catcher during Monday's hearing in Phoenix could permanently alter Navarro's feelings about the team. But immediately after word came back Tuesday morning that the three-person panel had ruled in favor of the Rays and set Navarro's 2009 salary at $2.1 million, Almerico made a point to say there were no hard feelings.

"Navi wants to thank the Rays organization for making this a fair debate and for handling the hearing with class," Almerico said in a text message. "He is very excited to report to spring training and is looking forward to helping the team get back to the World Series."

Moving on from the arbitration process is the Rays' primary goal as well. Executive vice president Andrew Friedman said on an evening conference call Tuesday that the team is ready for everyone's attention to turn to preparing for the season.

Friedman wouldn't directly address Almerico's statements, saying "it was important for us not to make this a media event. But we had full confidence in our ability to handle this situation professionally and didn't think about doing it any other way, with or without Almerico's comments."

The amicable resolution of the case could leave the door open to further negotiations on a multiyear deal for Navarro, who Friedman repeatedly termed "a very important part" of what the Rays are doing.

Regardless of what transpires down the road on that front, it appears the Rays are closing in on just such an outcome with their other player in line for an arbitration hearing, Willy Aybar.

The infielder's agent, Luis Valdez, indicated last week that he thought a multiyear contract that would allow the parties to avoid arbitration might be reached soon, and Friedman echoed those sentiments Tuesday.

"It's premature to comment on it, but I think it's safe to say that we're very close," Friedman said.

In addition, Friedman said the team's deal with reliever Brian Shouse is "pretty official," with terms likely to be finalized today. The 40-year-old lefty will get a one-year contract with an option for 2010.

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