The Chicago White Sox have signed Alex Avila to a one-year deal that is worth $2.5 million. Avila has spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers up till this recent move. With the recent move Avila will still remain in the AL Central and it is expected that he will split time behind the plate for the Sox with Tyler Flowers.
Chicago White Sox Sign Alex Avila
Avila will be turning 29 in January and has been in the Tigers organization since they had drafted him back in 2008 with their first round pick. Throughout his career he is a .242/.345/.397 hitter through 2,445 plate appearances. In his 2015 season he only played in 67 games while having trouble trying to recover from a bone bruise in his left knee. Avila hit for a career low with an average of .191 in 178 at-bats. With the knee injuries and multiple concussions, Avila has begun to see some more time at first base. His best season came in 2011, Avila was named an All-Star, won a Silver Slugger award and hit .295 with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs. With the signing of Avila the White Sox see a little bit of improvement. Flowers has been a .223/.289/.376 hitter through 1,395 plate appearances.
According to MLB Trade Rumors: With the help of Alex it is expected that he will handle the right-handed pitching since Flowers has been a much better catcher for left-handed pitchers and struggles with the right-handed pitching over the last couple of seasons.
According to the Chicago Tribune: White Sox Senior Vice President/General Manager, Rick Hahn, had this to say about the Alex Avila signing:
“Alex gives us a veteran presence behind the plate who provides solid defense and a productive left-handed bat. He is a well-respected leader in the clubhouse who we believe will make us stronger.”
Rick Hahn then gives his opinion on Alex Avila and his background in the AL Central:
“Alex has a tremendous reputation as a leader in the clubhouse. Obviously he knows the division quite well and provides a nice balance from an offensive standpoint given the left-handed bat and his ability to get on base and provide some power against right-handed pitching.”
With Geovany Soto signing with the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim, Avila is expected to fill his void.
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