What the Pittsburgh Pirates Should do with Pedro Alvarez

By Andrew Lenz on October 24, 2014

The time has come for the Pittsburgh Pirates to make a decision about boom-or-bust player Pedro Alvarez.

Offensively, Alvarez is the definition of streaky. He goes through periods of time where he consistently crushes the ball out of the park, and periods of aggravation with innumerable swings and misses. It was Alvarez’s defensive play this season that really frustrated the Pirates.

He was able to make a lot of difficult defensive stops but on routine throws to first base, Alvarez would overthrow his target. Pittsburgh has three options with Alvarez: cut ties with him completely, sign him to a short-term deal or try to trade him to another team.

The least beneficial option for Pittsburgh would have to be letting Alvarez go entirely. This option would involve the Pirates getting nothing in return for Alvarez, who was a first-round pick in the 2008 draft. While that is not ideal for a team that is constantly trying to build up the minor league system, the front office needs to decide if the production that Alvarez produces is worth the headache that comes with it defensively. Despite those defensive errors, Pittsburgh might want to consider keeping Alvarez on the roster for the power that his bat can bring to the lineup.

The play of utility-man Josh Harrison this season made the choice to bench Alvarez in favor of Harrison a lot easier. The much harder decision for manager Clint Hurdle was what to do with Alvarez once Harrison took over at third base. Pittsburgh tried to use Alvarez at first base and would do so again if he is resigned.

There is no need for Alvarez at third base anymore, and with Gaby Sanchez and Ike Davis underperforming this season, there is room for Alvarez to compete for that job. The hope of many people in Pittsburgh is that Alvarez will catch on at first base—even as a platoon player—and his defensive errors will not be as costly in key games. The final option is for the Pirates to trade Alvarez to a team that can afford to pay for his production.

The decision to trade Alvarez is the best choice for the Pirates. While the power that he brings to the lineup is important to the team, there are other options that do not carry the same baggage as Alvarez. It is time for Pittsburgh to part ways with him and to get some value for him from another organization.

There are teams that will give up a conditional pick or some prospects for Alvarez’s power. The Pirates can always choose to bring back one, or both, of the first basemen from this season and there is still the option of Andrew Lambo, if he can find his stroke in the majors.

Whatever the Pirates decide to do with Alvarez, it needs to be a choice that will benefit the organization both currently and in the future. What will benefit the team in the long run is finding a trade partner that is willing to pay for Alvarez’s potential and his power.

There are prospective buyers, like Alvarez’s hometown New York Yankees, which would be able to play him as a designated hitter and could send something to Pittsburgh in return. Pittsburgh’s front office needs to think about the team first and not about Alvarez’s future once the offseason begins.

Andrew Lenz is a Blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealAndyLenz, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google