Detroit Tigers: Alex Avila Signed with Chicago White Sox

Alex Avila will be wearing white sox in 2016. The long-time catcher with the Detroit Tigers is moving one time zone over to catch for the Chicago White Sox. While the move away from Detroit comes as no surprise to fans, where he landed is. 

May 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Mike Aviles (4) scores before a tag by Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) in the thirteenth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

During his tenure with the Tigers, he caught for three Cy Young award winning pitchers: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and David Price. He also suffered from an impressive number of concussions from being hit by bats, fast pitches, and collisions at the plate. His best year in the Tigers organization was 2011 when he was awarded a Silver Slugger, an invitation to the All-Star game, and a 12th place finish in the MVP voting. He batted .295 and hit 19 home runs that year.

In 2015, he began the year behind the dish, but he did not finish it. Rookie catcher James McCann won the spot with his outstanding performance while Avila was on the disabled list. Avila’s injuries and concussions have taken a toll on his body and performance. He remained a solid catcher, but in 2015 his batting average fell apart. He finished the year with an abysmal .191 batting average with 34 hits in 67 at-bats. 

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Now that Avila will be wearing a White Sox uniform, the Tigers will continue to see him several times each season. His new deal with the White Sox is for one year and $2.5 million. Avila’s father Al Avila was quite clear that he did not want his son to remain with the team. He was against his son’s original signing with the Tigers in 2008.