The Twins have signed veteran catcher Alex Avila according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. It’s a one-year deal worth $4.25 million.
Avilia, 32, hit .207/.353/.421 (.795 OPS vs RHP) with nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 201 plate appearances in 2019 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-handed hitter rejoins the American League Central, where he has already played for the Tigers and White Sox.
Avila was a positive defensive catcher in 2019 with 2.1 fielding runs above average and he posted a 1.3 fWAR.
Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen noted earlier this offseason that the Mets would like to bring in a veteran catcher that is solid defensively. Starting catcher Wilson Ramos was fine offensively in 2019 (105 wRC+), but was one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball (-6.7 FRAA, 102nd of 113 catchers). Behind Ramos, the Mets have only defensive minded Tomas Nido and Ali Sanchez on the 40-man roster.
Avila joins Yasmani Grandal, Travis d’Arnaud, Yan Gomes, and Stephen Vogt as free agents catchers that have already been signed this offseason.
Earlier this offseason, I took inventory of the free agent catching market with Jason Castro and Robinson Chirinos looking like the best two options left.
