Pedro Alvarez to sign with Orioles

Pedro Alvarez has agreed to terms with the Orioles on a one-year deal for $5.75 million, plus a possible additional $1.5 million in incentives.

In September, when Alvarez was still with the Bucs, I noted that the Orioles were the team most likely to trade for Alvarez, but suggested that it might be difficult to deal him. That Alvarez has now agreed to terms for a mere $5.75 million confirms that he had no trade value before he and the Pirates parted ways (as if that weren't obvious from the fact that he was still on the free agent market in March). Alvarez would have received a projected $8.1 million had the Bucs taken him to arbitration.

In any case, best of luck to Alvarez, who is, finally, in the American League, where his skill set (or skill unit, or whatever you would call a skill set that only has one skill in it) will play a bit better. Baltimore is a good fit for him, too, in that Camden Yards is a good park for lefty power hitters and Alvarez won't have to play the field or hit against lefties much. In case you're wondering, the Orioles and Pirates don't play during the regular season, so Alvarez is unlikely to be returning to Pittsburgh anytime soon.