In need of a backup catcher, with the Nationals expecting Yan Gomes to make 100-110 starts as a No. 1-type receiver in the upcoming 2021 season, D.C. GM Mike Rizzo signed veteran catcher Alex Avila to what is reportedly a 1-year/$1.5M free agent deal that was officially announced by Washington on Wednesday morning.
Avila, 34, put up a .184/.355/.286 line, two doubles, and a home run in 23 games and 62 plate appearances in 2020’s 60-game campaign, over which he was worth 0.2 fWAR for Minnesota’s Twins.
The 12-year veteran is coming off a 1-year/$4.25M deal with the Twins that he signed in December of 2019, after a .