Report: Tigers' GM outbid for own son in free agency

The holidays might be a little bit awkward this year for the Avila family. Catcher Alex Avila, who signed with the Minnesota Twins on Friday, might have some questions for his Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila didn’t offer his son more money in free agency.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Tigers pursued Avila this offseason for a potential reunion, but they reportedly offered him less than the Twins’ one-year, $4.25 million deal.

Tigers GM Al Avila was in the unusual position of being outbid for his own son. Twins got Alex for $4.25M. It’s not known what Detroit bid but it’s believed to have been a bit less. In any case, in his 12th season, Alex is surely looking to play for a contender.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2019

Of course, the realities of professional baseball are nothing new to this family. Al traded his son to the Chicago Cubs during the 2017 season.

While Al might have made a low offer, Alex certainly will end up happy before he sees his father for the holidays. He now gets to play for one of the best teams in the AL, face the Tigers regularly and will make more money in the process.