Pirates' roster fumble costs them intriguing reliever after A's swoop in

When the Pittsburgh Pirates finalized a one-year, $1.525 million contract with veteran utility man Adam Frazier Wednesday, they cleared a spot for him on the 40-man roster by designating recently-signed reliever Elvis Alvarado for assignment. If only we could have known that would be a bad idea.

Barely 24 hours passed after the Pirates DFA'd Alvarado before the (Sacramento) Athletics snatched him up off waivers. The A's announced the claim Wednesday afternoon and designated right-hander Anthony Maldonado for assignment as the corresponding move.

Alvarado had signed a split contract with the Pirates during MLB Winter Meetings in December. The specifics of the deal weren’t reported, but such deals are typically structured to discourage other clubs from putting in a waiver claim. It didn't do much to dissuade the A's, however, and they quickly grabbed Alvarado to add some pitching depth.

Pirates' roster fumble costs them intriguing reliever Elvis Alvarado after A's swoop in

Alvarado, who turns 26 in February, has yet to make his Major League debut despite pitching in the minor leagues for the Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins over the past decade. He presents both high risk and high reward following a 2024 season that saw him throw more strikeouts at expense of some control.

Last season in the Marlins' system, Alvarado struck out 33.2% of batters faced, but gave up walks at a concerning 17.8% rate. From 2021-23, however, his strikeout and walk rates were 21.8% and 10.3%, respectively. If he can get his control issues figured out, Alvarado can be a highly effective late-inning reliever – which the Pirates desperately need.

Had he cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis – or, had he not been DFA'd in the first place - Alvarado could have had the chance to work with Brent Strom and the Pirates' pitching staff at spring training in Bradenton, Fla., this year; instead, he'll be reporting to the A's complex in Mesa, Ariz. One has to wonder whether one year of Frazier was worth the cost of an intriguing reliever with tremendous upside in Alvarado, but only time will tell whether the Pirates made the right move.

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