Alex Avila wasn’t signed for his bat. He does have a .295/.389/.506 season on his big league resume, but that was back in 2011. He has a high career OBP, yes, (.353 and .355 in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and .348 in 12 MLB seasons), but he is, by his own admission, not going to be hitting in the middle of the Nationals’ lineup in 2021.
“I think most likely I’ll be hitting towards the bottom of the order,” Avila said after his one-year deal with Washington was announced yesterday.
“I don’t think I’m going to be hitting fourth for this team, but my job at that point is to turn the lineup over.