The Orioles and designated hitter/outfielder Pedro Alvarez have worked out a “temporary resolution,” for Alvarez to remain with the organization and stay at Triple-A Norfolk for now, according to an industry source.
There is no indication how temporary that agreement is — days or weeks — and whether Alvarez has a new opt-out date in his minor league contract with the team.
Alvarez, 30, could have opted out of his deal with the organization today – and he initially was not in the Tides’ lineup. But the Orioles and Alvarez’s representation have been negotiating today, and Alvarez was added to the lineup – at DH and hitting cleanup — before Norfolk’s game against Pawtucket.
The slugger is batting .223 with 12 homers and 39 RBIs in 52 games with Norfolk, but he’s been scalding recently – hitting six homers while batting .326 with 13 RBIs in his last 10 games.
His experiment playing the outfield has not gone well, and so the Orioles view him as a left-handed designated hitter only, and that limits his usefulness to the Orioles at the current time.
The Orioles are down to a four-man bench that includes utility infielder Paul Janish, reserve catcher Francisco Pena and outfielders Hyun Soo Kim and Joey Rickard. Adding Alvarez would hamper the Orioles’ bench versatility further – and Kim, Rickard or Janish likely would have to be removed from the roster (only Rickard can be sent to the minors without his consent).
So, it looks like the situation is status quo for now.
Another veteran, right-hander Edwin Jackson, also has an opt-out for today. He is with the Tides, and told The Virginian-Pilot that he’s undecided on whether he will exercise the clause or remain with the team.
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o:
Having the Bull on the team would be just one more reason for Buck to sit the Hitting Machine. Barring injury, I can't see him on the team again.
Can somebody PLEASE tell me why Kim can't crack the lineup? I mean I like Seth Smith and all, but c'mon, wouldn't we be better off with Kim in the lineup? After hitting .300 to start the year, Smith is on his way back down to his career low .260s-something average. It's obvious Buck doesn't trust Kim in right, and Mancini isn't going anywhere ... but in that case, couldn't the team move Trumbo back to right, Mancini to DH and get the Hitting Machines .300 average back in action against right handed pitching? Let's set the table for the power hitters for crying out loud! These one run dingers won't hold water for long.
Sorry Pedro .. maybe it's time to find someone that needs you.
The Orioles made the postseason with Pedro as a left-handed DH. There's a reason he didn't opt out, and it could be that the O's told him they want him and are trying to figure out how to fit him on the 25-man roster. I say Joey goes down to Norfolk.
Kim's frequent omission is curious, but Buck said it had more to do with Trey playing well, than any thing Hyun Soo was doing badly. As for Seth over Kim, it's probably as he's perceived as a slightly better outfielder (he's certainly a little more mobile).
The Orioles would love to have Alvarez down the stretch in September. A major weapon off the bench. But he'll probably have opportunities before then -- somewhere. He's a great insurance policy tho.
Solution: Make a spot for Pedro by demoting a reliever. If the Orioles decide they can't function with a six-man pen, then they'll need to rethink it, but that is one way to keep him.
Another reason the Orioles MUST keep Alvarez: Keep him away from the Red Sox, who still need a replacement for Ortiz's power.