Chicago White Sox ink Alex Avila to one-year deal

The White Sox kicked off their offseason by signing former Tigers catcher Alex Avila to a one-year, $2.5 million deal, MLB.com’s Scott Merkin reported. Avila, highly regarded as one of the game’s top defensive catchers, will provide stiff competition to Tyler Flowers for the starting spot next season. The Sox were in the market for a catcher following the departure of Geovany Soto, who signed with the Angels.

Avila, 28, has spent the entirety of his seven-year career in Detroit. In 2011, he batted .295 with 19 home runs and 82 RBI and was named an All-Star and Silver Slugger. He has led the league in runners caught stealing in three separate seasons, including throwing out 40 in 2011.

However, since his career year in 2011, Avila’s numbers have dropped off considerably and gave reason for Detroit to move on with James McCann behind the plate. This past season, he appeared in just 67 games, batting .191 with four home runs and 13 RBI. Despite his numbers dipping, Avila’s role did expand a bit in his final year with the Tigers. In addition to catching 44 games, he played 23 at first base.

In his career at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Avila is a .182 hitter over 11 at-bats with one home run.