CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #166
Fubon Guardians News: Yamaico Navarro
Hello Navarro, goodbye Navarro. On February 23, the CPBL terminated Yamaico Navarro’s contract with the Fubon Guardians based on article 94 of the rulebook regarding player misconducts.
Yamaico Navarro had a few incidents with the laws in the past. He was arrested for driving under the influence in 2012 during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates organisation.
In 2016, he was in trouble with the Japanese customs for having a bullet in his luggage, violating Japan’s firearms law. In 2018, the Dominican Republic media reported that the police arrested Navarro for possession of an unregistered firearm.
Despite being arrested three times in the past, Yamaico Navarro managed walked away without charges on all three occasions. However, this is more than enough to get his contract voided by the CPBL.
“The CPBL has gone through so many hardships over the years, and we need to adopt a strict standard when it comes to player recruitment,” said the commissioner Tsai Chi-Chang.
Ex-MLB player Yamaico Navarro arrested in Japan for carrying bullet in luggage: https://t.co/40GeBFwP4H
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) February 22, 2016
Article 94 Explained
Article 94 of the CPBL rulebook stated the following: All players with previous criminal records, violent crime charges, game-fixing charges, or any misconducts that will damage the public image of the league will face immediate dismissal.
“We respect the league’s decision on terminating Yamaico Navarro’s contract,” said the Guardians deputy general manager. “We will continue our search for a new foreign position player.”
Guardians’ Plan for Opening Day Foreign Players
After losing Héctor Noesí (sustained an injury before arriving in Taiwan) and Yamaico Navarro in less than a week, the Fubon Guardians are down to five foreign players to begin the 2021 season.
According to the Guardians general manager, they are most likely to begin the 2021 season with Henry Sosa, Mike Loree, Manny Bañuelos and JC Ramírez on the active roster.
Further Readings
Foreign players come and goes, therefore we compiled a foreign players tracker to keep track of all the foreign players signing for the 2021 CPBL season.
I’d like to see the Guardians go for Chris Carter perhaps. That could definitely bring more fans to the team and he should be able to provide plenty of offense considering he did hit 49 home runs while in the Mexican League in 2019.
Wilin Rosario would be a good choice if he is available and doesn’t have any past legal problems.
Moises Sierra is another legitimate option.
Brandon Barnes hit pretty well in the KBO last year, and he appears to be available.
Fubon is looking for someone who can play 2B.
Carter, Rosario, Sierra, and Barnes all don’t fit the category. Barnes is retired too.
Neither does Navarro. He’s another OF/1B.
Then Tyler Saladino (if healthy), Dilson Herrera, Andy Burns, Andy Ibañez could be good options.
Probably depends on who is willing to play for a three-month $45,000 guarantee, if the player will be fifth player who may not be allowed to play in minor league games until a roster spot opens up.