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By Steve Adams | at
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Kershawshank Redemption 2
I would be stunned if the Pirates don’t tender Alvarez a contract. The guy is still a productive power bat and seemed more comfortable at first as the year wore on. What option do they have that’s cheaper and has as much potential?
redsfanman
His name is Josh Bell, he’s a 23 year old who hit .317 with a .393 OBP last season between AA and AAA. He might have less power than Alvarez but it’s hard to be worse than Alvarez defensively. There’s also reason to expect Josh Bell to be able to get on base more, and strikeout less.
Alvarez is a one-dimensional player – great raw power, terrible at everything else. $8m would be a misuse of their resources.
johnsilver
Yeah, agreed. He’s David ortiz, only one with no talent.
redsfanman
Pedro Alvarez is like David Ortiz without the plate discipline that makes Ortiz a good hitter. Fewer walks, more strikeouts, lower batting average, lower OBP.
He has the same talent for power, though. Credit where credit is due.
Meanwhile Josh Bell MAY share Ortiz’s more useful talent for consistently getting on base…
bucsws2024
Josh Bell won’t arrive until mid-June. He’s currently an even worse fielding 1b than Pedro.
n888
Was it supposed to say the Reds might sign an “experienced” reliever? “Inexpensive”? Confused by the reference to Grilli as “inexperienced”
redsfanman
I think they combined, confused, or compounded ‘inexpensive’ and ‘experienced’ into ‘inexperienced’. The Reds have talked about acquiring a veteran reliever, but aren’t willing to throw a lot of money at one, a situation that matches the Grilli comparison.
Steve Adams
Ha, yes, thank you. I meant to type “relatively inexpensive” in that spot. Fixed.
NorahW
I’m still surprised that Ausmus was kept on.
stymeedone
I’m thinking Ausmus is, too.
cosmo1
What would it take for the Cubs to land Chapman in the off season?