D-Backs, Avila agree to 2-year deal worth reported $8.25M

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a major upgrade behind the plate Tuesday, announcing a two-year deal with veteran catcher Alex Avila.

It's worth $8.25 million, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The 31-year-old Avila played 112 games split between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs last season, and had a small breakout at the plate, posting the best on-base and slugging percentages since his sophomore campaign in 2011.

As the Tigers' starting catcher, Avila slashed .274/.394/.475 over 77 games. After Detroit sent him to the Cubs along with reliever Justin Wilson for a package of prospects, Avila was primarily relegated to backup duties behind Willson Contreras. In 35 games with the Cubs, Avila's production dipped, but he still owned a .369 OBP.

Earlier this offseason, the Diamondbacks lost catcher Chris Iannetta to the division-rival Colorado Rockies via free agency.

Avila figures to be the Diamondbacks' starting catcher heading into the 2018 season. The team also employs the defensively minded Jeff Mathis and part-time catcher/outfielder Chris Herrmann.