Christmas came early for Alex Avila.
The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one-year deal with Avila, the son of Tigers president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila. The contract is worth $2 million, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Alex Avila told the Free Press in a phone interview that he's happy to be back with the Tigers, where he played from 2009-2015.
When Avila talked about the possibility of returning to the club before Thanksgiving, he said he wasn't sure if things would work out. He said talks with the club picked up earlier this week and he had a couple of other teams that expressed interest. As the offseason unfolded and the market showed itself, it made it more plausible that the Tigers could happen.
"Kind of got started earlier this week and finished up today," Avila said.
Avila said the negotiations were handled by assistant general manager John Westhoff.
"Alex provides us with the needed depth at the catching position," Al Avila said in a released statement.
To create room on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated for assignment right-handed pitcher Angel Nesbitt.
Avila, 29, returns to the Tigers after playing for the Chicago White Sox in 2016. He played in 57 games and hit .213 with 19 runs, six doubles, seven home runs and 11 RBIs.
"Alex is a left-handed hitter who has some pop in his bat," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said in the statement. "We like his ability to catch and throw, his familiarity with the organization and his leadership qualities, which makes him an asset to the ballclub."
Originally drafted by the Tigers in the fifth round in 2008, Avila played in the organization through 2015. He was a member of the American League All-Star team and won an American League Silver Slugger award in 2011.
Avila dealt with a hamstring injury last season but said he avoided taking a beating behind the plate, in part because he sometimes catches now on one knee, which lowers his head about 4-6 inches from before.
Avila said he's already spoken to Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez and Justin Verlander about returning to the Tigers since the deal was announced. And he said he's already planning to be at TigerFest on Jan. 21.
Nesbitt, 26, pitched in 24 games for the Tigers in 2015 but struggled last season between Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie. He had a 5.68 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in 28 games for the Mud Hens and a 3.65 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 11 games for Erie.
Avila said he'll see his father on Saturday in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Avila's planning to cook a pig for about 60 family members at his home and will "have something other than Christmas to celebrate."
