Free agent infielder Pedro Alvarez reportedly has a minor league contract in place with the Orioles, per Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports. Jon Heyman adds that the terms of the deal include a $2 million salary with up to $3.5 million in incentives.
Alvarez, 30, batted .249/.322/.504 with 22 home runs and an .826 OPS during his initial run with the Orioles in 2016. He primarily served as the team’s designated hitter and occasional third baseman, though Heyman reports that the deal could be contingent on a switch to the outfield in 2017. Alvarez hasn’t played the outfield in any of his seven major league seasons, but has been developing his skills there over the last 3-4 months and could compete against fellow outfield candidates Chris Dickerson, Craig Gentry, Logan Schafer and Aneury Tavarez for a backup role this spring.
The deal has yet to be confirmed by the team.