MLB Trade Deadline: 15 trades that need to happen
12. Alex Avila to the Rays
Before the Diamondbacks jumped everyone and pulled off a surprise trade for J.D. Martinez, the Tampa Bay Rays were a potential landing spot for the slugging outfielder. Designated hitter has been one of the few weak spots in a potent Rays lineup all year. Catcher/first baseman Alex Avila of the Detroit Tigers is not as natural a fit for the Rays as Martinez would have been, but he still makes sense for them.
Avila has resurrected his career this season. After hitting .216/.331/.354 over the previous four seasons, his signing with the Tigers last offseason seemed more like nepotism than smart baseball dealing (Avila’s father is the GM of the Tigers). For only $2 million, though, the Tigers have gotten a great deal. Avila has batted .292/.420/.518 on the year with 11 home runs and 11 doubles.
The Rays have a starting catcher in Wilson Ramos, but he will need days off in the second half to protect his knee. Giving Ramos days off and allowing Avila to catch a few times a week while DHing the rest of the time would allow the Rays to keep Ramos healthy without losing much production when he takes a day off or serves as the DH. Adding Avila to the regular starting lineup would force Corey Dickerson to play left field more regularly, but that has also been a weak position for the Rays.
An outfielder like Melky Cabrera or Avisail Garcia could also make sense for the Rays if they want to go strictly that route and make Dickerson a full-time DH. Avila offers more protection for Ramos, and would keep the Rays from having to go to a zero-offense option on days when he rests.