Detroit Tigers: Deals Aren’t Done for This Season

Jul 19, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher

(13) tags out Baltimore Orioles first baseman

(19) at home base during the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Would a father put his son on the trading block as one of his first actions as general manager? If he needs to do a quick rebuild he would. Considering the way James McCann has taken over the catcher position this season Avila could find himself a contender target.

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Two weeks before the trade deadline there were rumors that the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins were looking to bolster themselves at catcher with Avila a possibility. The Mariners have fallen from contention but the Twins are still only three games out in a hot American League Wild Card battle.

Avila missed eight weeks of this season with a knee injury and has struggled at the plate since returning but provides stability for a pitching staff and a veteran presence that can help a young team struggling through its first taste of playoff race pressure.

Avila is in the final year of a contract that pays him $5.4 million for 2015. He becomes a free agent in 2016 so he’s on rent-a-player status for any contender which may eat into his return value but good catchers are hard to find. Avila could still bring back quality.