Alvarez, Pirates finalize deal
MILWAUKEE -- More than a month after saying "I do," Pedro Alvarez finally went to the altar with the Pirates.
Alvarez, the team's first-round draft pick, signed a four-year, major-league contract with a guaranteed $6.355 million payout Wednesday.
The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus, the same amount Alvarez verbally agreed to Aug. 15. The package could eventually be worth nearly $8 million, depending upon how quickly the hard-hitting third baseman rises to the major leagues.
Alvarez will report this weekend to the Pirates' instructional league camp in Bradenton, Fla. The rosters for the Arizona Fall League are set, but the Pirates still might consider sending Alvarez to the Hawaii Winter League.
"I'm just here to play baseball," Alvarez said. "I want to be the best player I can be, and I'll work my hardest for the fans in Pittsburgh."
After a six-week holdout that wound up netting Alvarez a better financial deal, many Pirates fans are sympathetic to Alvarez.
"I want the fans to judge me as the professional player that I am now," Alvarez said. "Judge me on the field. I will work hardest to be a leader on and off the field and in the community."
The finalization of Alvarez's contract was delayed by two grievances filed last month by the Players Association against the commissioner's office.
The union charged Major League Baseball unilaterally allowed teams, including the Pirates, to negotiate with agents for drafted players beyond the midnight deadline.
The second grievance challenged MLB's directive that sidelined Eric Hosmer, Kansas City's top pick, pending the outcome of the first grievance.
Alvarez and Hosmer are represented by agent Scott Boras.
"This process was really about getting a fair negotiation," Boras said. "Once Pedro was given a fair negotiation, he received a contract proposal that was much different than the one which was previously offered."
Under the original agreement, Alvarez would not have gotten a major-league contract with so much guaranteed cash.
Alvarez insisted he does not regret the contract battle, even if it ends up slowing his path toward the majors.
"I am completely satisfied with what's gone on," Alvarez said.
Late yesterday afternoon, MLB and the players union announced they had resolved the grievances.
"The agreement fully satisfies the union's objective, which was to defend the integrity of its collectively bargained agreements and to make certain that those agreements are respected and honored by the clubs," union attorney Michael Weiner said in a prepared statement.
The agreement between MLB and the union mandates that future deadline extensions must be approved by the Players Association in addition to MLB.
"I think something good came out of it," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. "The rules, and I was one who helped draft them, were not as clear as they should have been. ... What will be different is, there won't be any extensions granted."
Boras interjected that the rules had not changed.
"The fact is, the remedies for enforcement of the rules have been clarified," Boras said. "An arbitrator now can void a contract and move forward."
To clear space for Alvarez on the 40-man roster, left-hander Tom Gorzelanny (finger) was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
Over the past six weeks, Alvarez has tried to stay in playing shape by working out at home with his father. The instructional league ends Oct. 18, and general manager Neal Huntington is not yet sure what will come next.
"We're excited about getting him on the path toward Pittsburgh," Huntington said. "Few players have been damaged by a conservative track. History is littered with players who were damaged by clubs rushing them."
Additional Information:
What's the deal?
Terms of Pedro Alvarez's four-year, major-league contract with the Pirates:
Signing bonus: $6 million
Years: 2009-2012
Guaranteed payouts: If Alvarez is in the minors, he will receive $87,500 annually. If Alvarez is in the majors, he will receive $400,000 in 2009; $500,000 in 2010; $550,000 in 2011; and $700,000 in 2012.
2013 option: If Alvarez has less than three years of major-league service time, he will receive $1.63 million. If he has more than three years' service time, Alvarez could instead opt for arbitration.
