One of the biggest surprises of the Norfolk Tides 2017 season – last season – was that Pedro Alvarez didn't exercise his contractual opt-out to become a free agent. Alvarez is a power hitter, whose best position was designated hitter, in a system loaded with defensively-limited power hitters. It seemed obvious to us in Norfolk that Baltimore may have been his worst opportunity for major-league time, so why not try to move elsewhere? But he chose to stay in Noforlk
Flash-forward to 2018. Pedro Alvarez
re-signed with the Orioles, and made the opening-day roster. He
played in 45 games. At that point, the Orioles realized that he
wasn't helping the team win now and, at age 31, wasn't likely to help
the team win in the future. So, on June 19, the Orioles designated
him for assignment and the following day outrighted him to Norfolk.
We would like to think that every team
has nothing but major-league prospects at every level of its farm
system. But in reality that's the exception. Almost every AAA team
has a player like Pedro Alvarez – well, not all that much like
Pedro Alvarez, a one-time all-star and #2 overall draft pick – but
a 30+ year old with no real chance to play in the major leages
(again). Gwinnett (Braves) has Sean Kazmar; Charlotte (White Sox)
Jake Elmore; Durham (Rays) Brandon Snyder; Louisville (Reds) Hernan
Irribarren, So while we in Norfolk are disappointed that Pedro
Alvarez may be taking a Norfolk roster spot from a promising player,
his presence with the Tides has virtually no effect on the Orioles'
future.
The more surprising thing is that
Alvarez accepted his minor-league assignment. At least last season
the Orioles were a pretender; there was a chance that they would need
his power in the chase for a wild-card berth. But this year, the
Orioles are a non-contender; they're unlikely to (be able to) trade a
veteran whose spot Alvarez could fill. Again he could have become a
free agent with the chance of finding a better organizational fit. He
didn't do it and again, it made no sense.
Until I learned a few things about
Pedro Alvarez, the specifics of which I am choosing not to share to
respect his privacy (other than to say that none of these things are
negative.) I can state some generalities. According to
baseball-reference.com, Alvarez has made over $21 million in his
baseball career. I do not know if he has squandered his money, but I
have reason to believe that he has not; if he has been even
moderately prudent with his earnings he should have enough to live on
for the rest of his life. The Norfolk – Williamsburg – Virginia
Beach area is a nice place to retire to – reasonably nice weather,
a fairly low cost of living. I don't know Alvarez' interests, but
there's the Virginia Beach waterfront, a thriving local music scene,
lots of golf courses nearby.
So now I see Pedro Alvarez as someone
who might be truly living the dream. Ideally, he's got no money
worries. He's living in a congenial environment. He gets to do what
he wants – play baseball – and gets to hang out with friends. He
even gets paid for his hobby! He's performed at the highest level of
his profession. He's almost living my
dream, anyway – although instead of playing baseball almost every
day I'd settle for datacasting baseball.
Pedro
Alvarez, I'm rooting for you. Enjoy.
1 comment:
Great read...except we want our guys to live out OUR dream... which is a World Series.
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