8. Pedro Alvarez
2016: 62 PA, .208/.323/.340, 85 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR
After being non-tendered by the Pirates this offseason, it looked as though Pedro Alvarez might have to sign a minor-league deal with a club as he remained unsigned into March. Instead, agent Scott Boras waived his magic wand and the Baltimore Orioles came knocking, offering Alvarez a one-year $5.75 million dollar deal with incentives that could push it to $7MM. A lot of money for a league average hitter without a position.
Alvarez has a lot of power, but mitigates that value by being a butcher in the field no matter where he plays, contributing 0.2 WAR since 2014 despite hitting 46 home runs. His low on-base percentage and high strikeout rate has made him hit just 106 wRC+ over his career, and this year it has trended downwards.
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In 62 PA this season he’s only hit a single home run, and with the injury to J.J. Hardy on Sunday, will be forced into everyday duty in the powerful O’s lineup. If Alvarez is given more playing time at third base after Manny Machado slides over to shortstop, his terrible defense will hurt his value even more. He’s already someone who shouldn’t even be getting every day DH at bats, let alone seeing the field at all during the season.
Next: Number 7