Nationals catcher Alex Avila will retire at the end of the season, The Athletic’s Maria Torres reports (Twitter link). While Avila plans to remain involved with the sport and “doesn’t intend to stay out of the game for long,” the veteran backstop will be hanging up his glove after 13 Major League seasons.
Breaking into pro ball as a fifth-round pick for the Tigers in the 2008 draft, Avila is best remembered for his eight seasons in Detroit, highlighted by a Silver Slugger performance in 2011. Avila hit .295/.389/.506 with 19 homers over 551 plate appearances in that breakout year, earning an All-Star nod and a 12th-place finish in AL MVP voting.
While Avila never again quite reached those heights, he has often provided good offensive production from the catcher position throughout his career, offering on-base skills and a bit of power (while also struggling to avoid strikeouts). Over his 3626 career PA, Avila has a .233/.348/.393 slash line and 105 home runs, good for an above-average 101 OPS+ and 104 wRC+.
Defensively, Avila has been one of baseball’s best at preventing stolen bases, throwing out 30.13% (213 of 707) of baserunners trying to steal. He has also been a solid pitch-framer for much of his career, and he been widely praised as a game manager and handler of pitchers.
This reputation has helped Avila catch on with six different teams (the Tigers, White Sox, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Twins, and Nationals) over the course of his career, mostly recently his one-year free agent deal with Washington. Avila has made only 99 PA over 29 games, as calf injuries kept him on the injured list for almost two months, and he also missed time at the start of the year on the COVID-19 list. Injuries have been a significant part of Avila’s career, including multiple concussions and leg problems.
Only 34 years old, Avila now moves onto the next phase of his baseball career, and could very well continue his family’s history of off-the-field success. His father Al Avila is the Tigers’ general manager, and his grandfather Ralph was a longtime Dodgers scout who was a key figure in the development of the Dominican baseball pipeline.
We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Avila on a fine career, and wish him the best in his next endeavors.
Future GM, like his dad?
If he becomes a GM, I sure hope he isn’t like his dad.
Yeah, because those dreadful Tigers, who just took the season series with the Rays, have no hope at all. Yeah.
The tigers having a bright future doesn’t mean Al Avila is a bad gm. The tigers have had 5 top ten picks in the last 6 years and deep pockets. Of course they have a bright future. The truth is that he has gotten very little return for very good players. I know injuries have hurt but return was considered light even when the trade happened. He has also signed 23 free agents over his tenure. Only 6 have been worth it. Avila is improving but still a well below GM.
*doesn’t mean Avila is a good GM
Al Avila had the unenviable task of taking over an organization ranked 30th in minor leagues systems, & 7th highest salary structure. Had to trade everyone to rebuild & everyone knew it. His trades sucked ass but since he’s been in full control, he will have more home grown prospects playing next year than the previous 20 years. It’s all perspective. Torkelson Greene Skubal Hill Kreidler Turnbull, Faedo are homegrown guys and should all be playing together in 2023 when they have a chance to win the division. You can criticize AA for his warts but you can’t gloss over what he’s doing now. Regardless of being able to draft very high, teams blow those picks often. Look what happened this year with Rocker. AA has potentially built a stong team for the next 5-7 years.
Crap…left off Mize!!!
Kool aid. Sorry. A depleted Clev, a re-aligning/resting Rays? Really? He should not be playing any prospects at all. He is trying to move too fast. Gloss over? Look a little closer. I’m not trying to be down, just real. Really, real. I’m not trying to sell tickets. I want to see the Tigers be totally dominant of the division, of the AL and WS winners for several years. I am that greedy and that faithful.
It will take more than what is happening now to really deal with other teams assets. And believe it or not, I actually like Al.
Manning & Peralta? Dingler?
Yep
Yes
Good career
Not a superstar although he did start in the 2011 ASG. But a solid career anyone could be proud of.
His defensive prowess and game calling skills made him the first player from his draft class to reach the majors. Great eye at the plate. Enjoy your retirement!
Hey, what’s up with so many Tigers transactions missed recently? Hill, Cisnero, and Soto all done for the season and no mention of the callups.
Did they have Covid? That would get them a write up on here…..
Omg you’re so funny. You should be proud.
A career WAR if 17 (and technically still counting) and a 100+ HRs from a defensive C makes for a solid career.
I wonder if anyone remembers when he was drafted. I heard from some outlet that he wasn’t worth that pick and how it was his father being biased toward his son. Wish I could remember who it was but I’m happy Avila proved them wrong.
Alex has a nice, even keel demeanor. He will be a good scout, coach, manager or front office guy….wherever he ends up.
Probably tired of the grind and with so many Catchers in free agency every winter he Probably doesn’t want to have to compete for a roster spot. Perhaps Al has a job in the Tigers organization waiting for his son after the season is over
A lot of teams could use a good coach/manager
Congrats, Al, and welcome to being mentioned for every bench coach/manager opening in the league.
Alex Avila always gave excellent interviews. Reminds you of Chris Archer in that respect. I think he will be excellent at whatever baseball related endeaver he chooses.
Senior too?
Like Sonny said … “nobody cares”