We’ve been hearing over the last few days that the Cubs aren’t quite as high on Alex Avila as what was first thought. Whether that’s because of the asking price for the rental catcher, who would see a decided reduction in playing time in Chicago, or because Avila’s offensive production has plummeted in the last month (probably both), he isn’t the primary target these days.
Ken Rosenthal tweeted Friday afternoon that the Cubs are seeking a “defense-first” type and that Avila was still on the list but was not a “current priority.” This could further signal what was reported Thursday afternoon by Bruce Levine and reiterated by Rosenthal last night, which is that talks regarding Justin Verlander have reached an impasse.