The off-season signing of catcher Alex Avila by the Arizona Diamondbacks brings a wealth of experience to young pitchers.
Depending on what is believed and a surrounding amount of factors, the Arizona Diamondbacks were left without an important segment of the squad as early as their elimination from the playoffs last October. From an offensive standpoint, catcher Chris Iannetta had one of his best seasons, but was neglected in the post-season.
Apparently, for that reason, he bolted from the desert early in the off-season and found a familiar home with the Colorado Rockies, for whom he played earlier in his career. Developing a void with the glove and the stick, Arizona GM Mike Hazen seem to wait until nearly the last moment of the off-season to find a replacement.
Enter Alex Avila, a veteran presence behind the plate and a left-handed bat with some pop. Coming into his 10th major league season, Avila has 87 career homers and knocked in 342 runs. That includes a breakout year in 2011 in which the native of Miami hit .295, slammed 19 homers and drove in 82 runs.
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With veteran catcher Jeff Mathis entering his second year of a two-year deal, the Diamondbacks sought insurance against his possible departure. At the same time, the move to bring Avila to the desert pointed in an educational direction. Not that Avila, at 31-years-old, was brought to solely mentor young pitchers, but his quiet, professional manner appeared ideal for a staff of rising pitchers such as Zack Godley and Robbie Ray.
Confirming the veteran presence is a quality which cannot be disregarded, Avila told Call to the Pen there is a certain advantage which comes in concert with Mathis.
"“With the experience throughout our careers, we are able to draw from those, and help the guys along through their process,” he said in the clubhouse before Friday’s game with the Rockies at Salt River. “Each guy will have a certain was of preparing and each will be different in that aspect. That will be our job to figure that out.”"
Given the idiosyncratic patterns of pitchers, Avila is now introduced to Ray’s changed mechanics. In delivering the ball with greater rapidity, Ray found a groove which help gain a 15-5 season, and strikeouts and ERA numbers among NL leaders. At the same time, Avila caught Godley for the first time Thursday against the Brewers and now recognizes the intensity and passion of Godley’s athletic makeup.
All of which prompted manager Torey Lovullo to explain to Call to the Pen that Avila brings a certain quality. That is destined to have a positive effect not only on Ray and Godley, but throughout the pitching staff.
"“Alex brings a calming effect,” he said. “That’s important, because we put a great deal of trust in our catchers. Alex is a leader and is fitting in here very well.”"
A free agent after last season ended with the Chicago Cubs, Avila told Call to the Pen that he reached out J. D. Martinez as soon as the Diamondbacks made contact. Given the culture of communication and winning established by Lovullo, the environment became ideal for a free agent seeking a destination to Land of Post-Season Play.
"“(Martinez) was one the first phone calls I made once I realized this could be an opportunity,” Avila told Call to the Pen. “I wanted to get a feel for the staff, and the guys in the clubhouse. From the outside, it looked like a great situation. I told (GM Mike Hazen) and (Lovullo) that this team is suffocating. They had tough at-bats, really good pitching, guys ran the bases well, and good defense. It was hard to find a weakness.”"
If there one element of the conversation Martinez advanced about the Diamondbacks, Availa pointed out to Call to the Pen, “this team is hungry. That they want to win real bad.”
With his observations from across the diamond and an affirmation from Martinez, Avila seem to say to Hazen, “where’s the paperwork. I’m ready to sign.”
In late January, Availa just that and signed a two-year deal for a reported $8.25 million.
Next …
The Diamondbacks head across the Phoenix metro area Saturday and take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Lefty Robbie Ray gets his second start of the spring. Lefty Alex Wood is slated to go for the Dodgers.
Next: Godley still unscored upon in Spring Training
In his only outing of the spring, Ray shut out the Cincinnati Reds last Monday during two innings of work. Against the Dodgers, he is scheduled for three innings.