By Liz Alper
Photo via Djh57 on Wikipedia
December 2, 2016 (San Diego) - In his first deal since his suspension for submitting false records to the Boston Red Sox during pitcher Drew Pomeranz's trade, Padres general manager A.J. Preller has traded catcher Derek Norris to the Washington Nationals for pitcher Pedro Avila.
Norris returns to Washington after being a highly touted prospect in their farm system before being traded to the Oakland Athletics. He's expected to be paid around $4.0MM.
Norris' signing most likely means the end of catcher Wilson Ramos' career in D.C. Norris will take over his lead catching spot, along with Jose Lobaton and Pedro Severino. With this signing, the Nationals likely won't pursue anything with free agent Matt Wieters either.
Norris hit .186/.255/.328 last year with the Padres, tying his career home runs with 14.
The 19-year-old Venezuelan Avila played single A ball with the Hagerstown Suns in the Nationals' farm system in 2016, but posted a 3.48 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 38 walks in 20 appearances. In 34 professional appearances, he's gone 14-10 with a 2.93 ERA, 184 strikeouts and 56 walks.
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