The Chicago Cubs struck gold by knocking out two birds with one stone. The team was looking for a backup catcher and another reliever before the trade deadline according to Jesse Rogers and Jerry Crasnick. The Cubs got their wish by dealing Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes, and a player to be named or cash to the Detroit Tigers for Alex Avila and Justin Wilson. Avila will be the backup for Wilson Contreras and Wilson will set up closer Wade Davis.
Cubs get upgrade they wanted
Avila was the team's starting catcher but will slide into a backup role as Contreras is the team's starting backstop.
Avila is hitting .274 this season with 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in. Avila brings experience but is a rental. He is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. The move likely means that Victor Caratini will be demoted. Caratini has been the team's backup catcher ever since the Cubs waived Miguel Montero.
Wilson provides many options for the Cubs. Wilson has fit in nicely for the Tigers in the closer role since he took over for Francisco Rodriguez. Wilson is 13 for 15 in save opportunities with a 2.68 earned run average. His abilities to get righties and lefties out brings high value. He will join Carl Edwards Jr. and Koji Uehara as late inning options.
Wilson brings support for possible postseason matchup
If the playoffs ended today, the Cubs would be playing the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have a dangerous set of left handed hitters in Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy. The Cubs have Brian Duensing and Mike Montgomery as left handed options. However, Montgomery will be used as a long relief option instead with Wilson on the team.
Having three or four different relievers gives manager Joe Maddon multiple options to use in late inning games. Plus, Wilson gives the Cubs options moving forward. Davis is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. Wilson is not a free agent until 2018. If Davis costs too much, the Cubs can switch Wilson to the closer role next season.
What the Tigers got
Candelario was once ranked in the top 100 prospects according to MLB.com. Candelario is a switch hitter and can play the corner positions. His major league career was blocked by Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. Candelario was hitting .152 in 33 at bats this season. Paredes is an 18-year-old shortstop in Class-A. Paredes is a long way away from making the major leagues, and even if he was, the Cubs have Addison Russell at shortstop. The Tigers now have one day to decide if they trade Justin Verlander
