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Al Avila Says Bringing Back Son Alex 'Not A Priority'

DETROIT (CBS Detroit/AP) -- New Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila spoke to the media on Thursday about the team's offseason plans, including at the catcher position.

Avila's son, Alex, has been a catcher for the Tigers, but James McCann has taken over the starting job behind the plate, so Alex Avila's future with the team is in doubt.

"He'll probably get something out there that might be more beneficial to him," Al Avila said. "Most major league clubs that have a right-handed-hitting catcher, they're all looking for a left-handed-hitting catcher."

Alex Avila spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career with the Tigers. In the four seasons since his All-Star bid in 2011, Avila has averaged playing in only 102 games per season.

"I don't really see it as a priority," Al Avila said. "Right now, McCann is our starting catcher and [Bryan] Holaday is coming back but is out of options. Basically, Holaday has to be our backup catcher or he's out of options."

During his first full season in Detroit, the 25-year-old McCann batted .264 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 114 games in 2015. He threw out 41 percent of potential base-stealers and allowed only three passed balls.

 

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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