Now that the Detroit Tigers have officially hired A.J. Hinch to be their next manager, it is time for general manager Al Avila to start focusing on which free agents he will go after for the 2021 season.
One area that needs improvement next season is at catcher and according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, bringing back former Tigers catcher Alex Avila could be an option.
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Here is what Petzold has to say about the potential family reunion.
The Tigers GM suggested the team might be better off sticking with Rogers, Grayson Greiner and Eric Haase at catcher for 2021, acknowledging recent second-round pick Dillon Dingler will eventually get his chance in the majors, too. But if the Tigers want a low-value free agent other than Romine, Alex Avila might be the guy. Although former Tiger James McCann is also on the market, he projects as the second-best free-agent catcher, and could cost more than the Tigers are willing to spend. Avila, 33, hit .184 with one homer and two RBIs in 23 games for the Twins this past season. He signed a $4.25 million for 2020 and should settle for less if given the chance for a starting gig.
Other cheap catchers include Jason Castro, Mike Zunino ($4.5 million team option with the Tampa Bay Rays) and, if the Tigers want to add someone on a minor-league deal to make Rogers compete this spring, Welington Castillo.
Nation, would you like to see Alex Avila return to the Motor City?
