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When news first broke Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Pirates were bringing back veteran utility man Adam Frazier on a one-year deal, the move raised plenty of eyebrows regarding Frazier's fit on the team.
When the signing was finalized Wednesday morning, however, Pittsburgh's corresponding roster move was even more puzzling.
To make room for Frazier on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated right-handed pitcher Elvis Alvarado for assignment. Alvarado had been on the Pirates' roster for all of six weeks after they signed him to a split Major League deal during MLB Winter Meetings in December, but he now finds himself on waivers just over two weeks before pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training.
Alvarado, originally signed by the Washington Nationals as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, has yet to make his Major League debut. His DFA doesn't necessarily preclude him from pitching for the Pirates in 2025, but it complicates his path to the big leagues. The Pirates have five days to trade Alvarado or place him on waivers. If he clears waivers – which is likely, considering his split contract – he will probably still be at spring training for the Pirates as a non-roster invitee and hope to pitch his way into the big league bullpen.
RHP Elvis Alvarado has been designated for assignment to make room for Frazier on the 40-man roster.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 29, 2025
Our 40-man roster remains full.
Pirates’ corresponding move for Adam Frazier is even worse than the signing
Alvarado spent last season in the Miami Marlins minor league system, primarily in Triple-A Jacksonville. In his 39 appearances in Triple-A, the 6-foot-4 right-hander went 3-4 with a 2.79 ERA and converted 11 of his 12 save opportunities. He also struck out 71 batters in his 48 1/3 innings pitched and held opponents to a .188 batting average.
While it was never a guarantee that he would make the Pirates' Opening Day roster out of camp, Alvarado is bullpen depth that the Pirates desperately need after an underwhelming 2024 season that saw them finish 27th out of 30 in total ERA (4.49). They now risk losing him just to create space for another utility infielder, which they desperately do not need. It's the cherry on top of another disastrous Pirates offseason.
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