The Diamondbacks have added some offensive punch at catcher with the signing of Alex Avila. While Avila will be sharing time, he has some decent fantasy value if used correctly.
Avila’s production has been a roller coaster over the years with last season being one of the ups. He hit .264/.387/.447 with 14 homers, his best numbers since 2011. His power is legit with a 24% HR/FB% the past two seasons with the juiced ball. While his power should continue, I expect his batting average to regress closer to his career .243 mark. And he’s for sure not stealing any bases, something he hasn’t done since 2012.
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The knock against Avila is that he’s one of the league’s worst framing catchers. For fantasy purposes, owners shouldn’t worry about his framing unless he’s catching one of their starting pitchers. They should also worry if it costs him at-bats.
As for Avila’s usage going forward, it’s tough for him to be useful in most leagues if he’s getting only 300 plate appearances. It’s just not enough at-bats compared to most full-time catchers. He’s probably only playable in two-catcher formats where 24 or more catchers are rostered. Additionally, he could be useful in daily lineup leagues when he’s in the lineup.
Previous Hot Stove Analysis
Royals and Athletics Swap Parts
Miami Sends Christian Yelich to Brewers
Blue Jays Acquire Randal Grichuk
Blue Jays Sign Curtis Granderson
Giants Trade for Andrew McCutchen
Twins Grab Their Closer, Sign Addison Reed
Mets Bring Back Jay Bruce on Three-Year Deal
Toronto Acquires Yangervis Solarte from San Diego
Royals, Dodgers, and White Sox Complete Three-Way Trade
Rockies Fill Closer Vacancy with Wade Davis
Arizona Adds Bullpen Depth with Yoshihisa Hirano
Indians Fill First-Base Void with Yonder Alonso
Brewers Bolster Rotation with Jhoulys Chacin
Orioles Lose Zach Britton, Brad Brach Likely Closer
Giants Add Evan Longoria, Rays Create a Mess
Red Sox Bring Back Mitch Moreland
CC Sabathia Returns to Yankees
Dodgers-Braves Make Five-Player Trade
Angels in the Infield: Zack Cozart Signs with Los Angeles
Phillies Ink Carlos Santana to Three-Year Deal
Everyone’s Signing Relievers, But Who Will Close?
Cardinals Finally Get Their Marlins Outfielder
Cubs and Twins Gamble on Smyly and Pineda
Chase Headley Gets Dumped on Padres
Cubs and Cardinals Add Potential Closers
Giancarlo Stanton Joins Yankees
Wellington Castillo Inks Deal with White Sox
Potential Closers Traded: Boxberger and Johnson