Chicago Cubs would be smart to bring back Alex Avila – and soon

Based on his recent comments on MLB Network Radio, veteran Alex Avila seems ready to embrace a backup role. The Chicago Cubs should pounce on this chance.

The Chicago Cubs need a backup catcher. We’ve talked about it multiple times. I, personally, suggested the team could look in-house, sticking with Victor Caratini. But after hearing Alex Avila’s recent comments on MLB Network Radio, I’ve got a far better idea.

In case you missed it, Avila indicated he’d be not only willing, but open to the idea of serving as a backup catcher moving forward. And if you’re Theo Epstein, your ears perked up to that.

Of course, Avila served in a backup capacity following his trade from Detroit to Chicago last summer. He was a solid part of the team down the stretch, batting .239/.369/.380 while throwing out 27 percent of would-be base stealers.

We all saw the impact of a quality platoon catcher can be when Willson Contreras was sidelined. Having guys like Avila and Rene Rivera proved critical for the Cubs down the stretch, as they went on a second-half run to capture the division. With the team poised to make another postseason push in 2018 and beyond, a veteran might be the best course of action.

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Avila has plenty of postseason experience under his belt and is already a part of the Chicago clubhouse. There’s nothing left to question in that regard. The biggest question has to be money. You’d think that if he’s accepting a backup role, he knows that comes with backup money, but you can’t ever be sure.

Plus, there are more than a few teams out there vying for key pieces behind the dish. One of those teams? The Cubs’ heated rival in D.C., the Washington Nationals. There’s familiarity there, as well, as Dave Martinez took the manager role at season’s end.

Veteran presence carries weight

If it came down to it and the Cubs had to choose between shoring up the pitching staff or adding a veteran catcher, we all know which we’d pick. The last few postseasons have proven: you can’t win without pitching. This fall, Chicago relievers put up some of the worst numbers in history, walking batters at a staggering rate.

Justin Wilson came over with Avila. We all expected dominance, but received a dud. He struggled to find the strike zone and failed to gain Joe Maddon‘s confidence. Outside of Wade Davis, Maddon trusted nobody – and with good reason.

In 2016, David Ross became the face of a young team hungry for a title. He brought a calming presence to how he called a game and it proved endlessly valuable. As much as I love Willson Contreras, calm isn’t a word I’d choose to describe him. Emotions rule him and a veteran mentor might be the perfect solution to this.

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I’m all for getting beat by what you know. If this bites the Cubs, fine. This much, however, is clear. Alex Avila represents a quality catcher who brings value to this team on both sides of the ball. If the price is right, it’s time to make a deal.