Why the Cubs should do it: After Miguel Montero threw Jake Arrieta under a bus the size the of the Sears Tower about holding baserunners on, he was then designated for assignment. The Cubs, can still use a left-handed hitting catcher like Avila. The only left-handed starting pitcher in their division that’s not a Cub is Amir Garrrett and he’s in Triple-A for now.
Avila is having an excellent year and can come in and fill that role. He can also play a little bit of first base, and we all know that Joe Maddon likes to move his guys all over the diamond to try and get the most out of them. Avila is an expiring contract and he’ll caddy Willson Contreras at times, but Avila is a veteran guy and can deal with that.
Why the Tigers should do it: The Tigers have a for sale sign hanging on their front lawn. Avila should be a piece that should be easy to move. In return, they get Caratini, who like Avila, can catch and play some first base, except he’s a right-handed stick, but he’s also just 23 years of age. He could come up right now and take Avila’s spot on the roster.
In Johnson, they can take a chance on a arm that could be in their bullpen by the end of the year. Their bullpen has been their Achilles heel for years and sometimes you have to take a chance on a young arm and see whether or not it sticks.