Orioles reach agreement with Pedro Álvarez on minors deal

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reached agreement on a minor league deal with Pedro Álvarez, one of the free agent sluggers who stayed on the market much longer than anticipated, according to an industry source.

The deal is pending a medical review.

The club was interested in a reunion only on a minor league contract, which Álvarez finally agreed to two weeks into March.

The contract language also had to be worked out this morning, the final step besides the medical review.

Álvarez, who turned 30 in February, batted .249/.322/.504 last season with 20 doubles, 22 home runs and 49 RBIs in 109 games after agreeing to a one-year deal worth $5.75 million on March 10.

The Pirates non-tendered Álvarez last winter after making him the second-overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Vanderbilt University.

The Orioles view Álvarez as a nice insurance policy in case of injury. There isn't a clear spot for him on the team with Mark Trumbo projected to be the primary designated hitter and the club appearing more likely to platoon Hyun Soo Kim in left field and Seth Smith in right field with better defenders.

Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry, the latter signed to a minor league deal, are the early favorites to fill those roles.

Álvarez plays third base and first base and has been working as an outfielder to increase his appeal to other clubs. The Orioles could let that experiment continue in Triple-A Norfolk.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette has a history of late signings and Álvarez would provide the latest example. Since the start of spring training, the Orioles have acquired pitchers Vidal Nuño and Richard Bleier, infielders Chris Johnson and Paul Janish and outfielders Gentry and Michael Bourn. They also signed pitcher Steve Johnson to a minor league deal and assigned him to Twin Lakes Park.

FanRag Sports was the first to report that the Orioles were nearing an agreement with Álvarez. The site also reported that Álvarez will receive approximately $2 million plus a possible $3.5 million in incentives.