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MLB Free Agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Pedro Alvarez

By Brendan Dlubala

Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) is greeted after scoring a run against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) is greeted after scoring a run against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Left handed slugger Pedro Alvarez is on this year’s free agent market. While some teams chase after high-priced bats, other teams may find his power at a much cheaper price.

Pedro Alvarez is in need of a team for the upcoming 2017 season. The left-handed slugger spent 2016 with a powerful Baltimore Orioles lineup and managed to hit 22 home runs with 49 RBI in 109 games. He also slashed .249/.322/.504 for the O’s.

Given his production and his premium ability to hit home runs, Alvarez should find himself a home relatively easily. Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista and Mark Trumbo will get the bulk of the attention this winter for designated hitters, but Alvarez is the cheap alternative.

And don’t mistake Alvarez for a fielder, he is strictly a hitter. In 2016, he played 12 games at third base for Baltimore and managed to make four errors and be worth a minus-4 defensive runs saved and a minus-2.6 ultimate zone rating. Furthermore, in 2015, the last time he played first base, he was worth a minus-13 DRS and a minus-14.3 UZR. Alvarez is virtually useless in the field but his power is enough to keep him in the American League as a DH.

The other knock on Alvarez is his issue with left-handed pitching. Like most left-handed sluggers, they tend to struggle against lefty throwers and Alvarez is no exception. In 2016, he slashed .237/.286/.368 in 38 at-bats against lefties. However, in 299 at-bats against righties, he batted .251/.326/.522. He also managed to improve his strikeout percentage by posting the second-lowest of his seven-year career at 25.8 percent.

So Pedro Alvarez isn’t the belle of the ball for designated hitters this winter. He won’t have teams chasing after him since he has holes in his game. But, for the teams that do lose out on the Encarnacion, Bautista and Trumbo sweepstakes, Alvarez can be a bargain bat.

He has the power to hit 30 home runs like he did in 2012 (30) and 2013 (36) and teams will seek that out. The following five teams specifically could use a power bat like his and may take end up taking a chance on him. The lefty 29-year old is a low cost, high reward type player that can change games with one swing.

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