After reports of a deal surrounding Tigers closer Justin Wilson becoming imminent, it has finally come to fruition.
Tigers-Cubs deal is final: Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to Cubs for Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes, and PTBNL or cash.
— Lynn G. Henning (@Lynn_Henning) July 31, 2017
This season, Wilson has pitched 40.1 innings for Detroit, with an ERA of 2.68. He has recorded 55 strikeouts, with a K/9 of 12.3. He replaced Francisco Rodriguez as the team’s closer in May.
Avila has had a tremendous season at the plate to this point. He currently owns a .271 batting average, with 11 home runs and 32 RBI’s. His on base percentage stands at .392, which is aided by his 43 walks in 263 plate appearances.
The prospects the Tigers received in return were Jeimer Candelario (1B/3B, Cubs #1 prospect) and Isaac Paredes (SS, Cubs #10 prospect.). Candelario is a 23-year-old switch-hitting corner infielder who is “major league ready.” The problem for him is that he’s been behind Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant in the Cubs organization. In Triple-A Iowa he is hitting .266/.361/.507 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs.
Paredes, on the other hand, is only 18-years-old and is a shortstop by trade. He is currently hitting .264/.343/.401 in South Bend A-ball with seven home runs and 49 RBIs. According to the MLB Pipeline, “Paredes has enough arm strength to play anywhere in the infield, but his fringy speed and quickness limit his range. He could shift to second base but more scouts think he’s destined for third base because he figures to lose a step as he fills out.”
The Tigers also will receive either a player to be named later or cash considerations for the last part of the deal. All in all, a pretty decent haul for a relief pitcher with one-and-half years of control and a rental back up catcher.
Good move for both clubs; Wilson and Avila will do well as Cubs, probably be in the post season. Tigers get much needed depth for replenishing their farm system.
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