Pedro Alvarez on board with potential move to first base

Pedro Alvarez took grounders at first base yesterday, perhaps the sign of a new chapter in his tenure with the Pirates. Alvarez was recently removed from his regular role at third base after committing a league-leading 24 errors. All-Star Josh Harrison is expected to get the lion’s share of the playing time at the hot corner going forward.

Alvarez seems at peace with the transition, though. He had a discussion with manager Clint Hurdle and was philosophical about it in a discussion with the media about it later. Via MLB.com’s Tom Singer and Stephen Pianovich:

“It’s just another opportunity to help this team any way possible,” Alvarez said Saturday prior to another cram session at first. “I think it shows the faith and the desire and the want that the organization has in me for me to help in any way possible. Moving over, taking ground balls at first … gives Hurdle and this team some options to be able to use me any way possible. I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

Along with the poor defense, Alvarez’s power at the plate has declined. A year after leading the league in home runs with 36, he has only 15 along with 49 RBI and a pedestrian .234/.320/.400 slash line.

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