In what appears to be a move to add depth at the catcher position, the Twins have agreed to terms with free agent Alex Avila, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Morosi says it’s a one-year deal worth $4.25 million for the 2020 season.
Avila, who will turn 33 in January, hit .207/.353/.421 with nine homers and 24 RBIs last season while playing 63 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made just 49 starts at catcher.
He’s considered a solid defensive catcher – good at framing pitches – according to the bloggers who know way more about this stuff than anyone on the planet.
Statcast likes Avila's framing work and ranked him 6th-best in MLB at getting strikes called on the edges of the zone in 2019.
He's also a left-handed hitter with a .795 OPS vs. RHP last year and would logically fit into a platoon with Mitch Garver. https://t.co/8zIs83cSOs
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) December 6, 2019
The Twins have yet to comment, so until they confirm that he’s the backup there is a reasonable chance that he’s the No. 1 catcher, essentially taking the role that Jason Castro had to begin last season.
If Avila starts at catcher, it would likely mean a move to first base for Mitch Garver. But if Avila is the backup, Garver is the likely starting catcher and that could mean the Twins have plans to use Miguel Sano or Marwin Gonzalez at first base.
Avila’s best season as a pro was in 2011 with the Tigers when he finished 12th in the MVP vote while being named his only All-Star Game and received a Silver Slugger award.
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