MLB: Cubs Acquire Avila and Wilson

The rumors have been around all year, and as we got closer to the deadline date, talks between contending teams such as the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Nationals lined up to see who would win the Justin Wilson sweepstakes? Around 11:30 p.m. ET last night, we got that answer, the Cubs made a package deal with the Detroit Tigers to acquire both Wilson and catcher Alex Avila.

The Tigers got back 3B Jeimer Candelario (No. 92 prospect on MLB Pipeline Top-100), SS Issac Paredes, and PTBNL or Cash. When you look at this deal from the Cubs perspective, they get what they've been looking for - a power lefty to put in the back of the bullpen to match with Wade Davis, and the ability to not only get tough left-handed hitters out, but you also get tough right-handed hitters out in the late innings of close games.

Also, getting Avila as a backup catcher to Willson Contreras who can come off the bench in a pinch hit role in the National League, who has one of the hardest hit ball rates in all of baseball. From the Tigers' perspective, they acquire their fourth and fifth infield prospect in their second trade of the deadline season.

With Candelario, you are getting a decent fielder with a slightly above average arm, switch hitting corner infielder, with about 20 home runs potential, and solid hit tool who has already played in the majors. He should be back up soon.

Paredes is the sleeper in this deal because he has true raw power with a plus hit tool. The only question about him is will he be able to stay a shortstop throughout his career. When you look at this deal the Tigers got more out of this than they did on the J.D. Martinez trade, which was a must because almost everyone came to the conclusion that trade was failure so far for the Tigers.

This trade allows them to get a top-100 prospect and a lottery ticket 18-year-old prospect that Detroit hopes they hit big on. This deal is pretty even on both sides when you look at it from a unbiased perspective, the Cubs gets their later inning LHP and backup catcher, while the Tigers get more high upside prospects to hopefully help them sooner rather than later.

Photo Credit: Boston Globe and Cubbies Crib.