Alex Avila - Gomes Gets Help

[Five Banners]

Nationals reportedly have a one year deal with Alex Avila pending physical

[DCFan]

Nationals reportedly have a one year deal with Alex Avila pending physical

Let's all wish Alex a happy birthday and congratulations for getting a contract from the Nats. Getting signed the day before your 34th birthday. The stuff dreams are made of.

[imref]

Nationals reportedly have a one year deal with Alex Avila pending physical

last five years: .218   .354   .388

Not terrible for a backup catcher.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I/M/O, I prefer Flowers for the money, or maybe Avila.  I am getting back to my
<----
obsession, but I like Avila being a lefty bat to take some PAs against righties away from Gomes.  Avila's defense is not below average. Gomes is very effective hitting lefties.  I don't know if Davey will line up catchers with pitchers, but since both are capable defensively, I could see a more matching up based on the opponents starters rather than being somebody's caddy.  Also, FWIW, it looks like Avila caught Corbin a lot in 2018 when they were with the D-backs, and Corbin is the toughest guy to catcher among the starters.

well, Avila makes sense

[imref]

well, Avila makes sense

L/R splits complement Gomes nicely.  Gomes starts against lefties, Avila against righties.

[Sirjesse]

Wonder if we carry Wellington Castillo as a third? He probably hits enough.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I suspect Gomes still gets the bulk of the starts. It might be he catches 3 of the starters, it might be all of the startsb lefties and some v righties. Both ate good defensively. I don't think Max or Stras will object to either.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

L/R splits complement Gomes nicely.  Gomes starts against lefties, Avila against righties.

Not going to be a strict platoon because Gomes is the #1 guy and you face way more righties than lefties.  Avila should start against probably 2 righties a week.  Day games after a night game, maybe when Max starts since they have history, etc.

He's a good OBP guy and plus defender (hopefully still is).  Not a bad fit

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Wonder if we carry Wellington Castillo as a third? He probably hits enough.

Swihart fits better since he can play LF and 1B in addition to being a 3rd C.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Swihart fits better since he can play LF and 1B in addition to being a 3rd C.

I could see them paying Castillo to stick around in Rochester and swihart as 26th man due to his versatility

[Greg_SRT]

Wheres my ring?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Wheres my ring?

add Kolten Wong and the Nats will need your size.

[Count Walewski]

last five years: .218   .354   .388

Not terrible for a backup catcher.

These are better than Jose Lobaton's career numbers. Better than Jesus Flores's 2011 - 2012 seasons.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

career .773 ops vs. righties, and was well above that in 2017 and 2019.  Gomes has crushed lefties since 2017 beating his career OPS of .814.  Gomes will face a lot of righties because he'll get the bulk of the starts overall, but the combo should get us good production out the position.

With SWLABR, Bell, and Avila, that Nats have shored themselves up against righty starters, which was a big weakness last year.

[NatsAllThe Way]

Where's my ring?