Alvarez affected?

[APAP]

I was wondering how the Jason Bay deal affects Avlarez's road to the majors at Pittsburgh. With the Pirates getting LaRoche, is this a bit of a block for Alvarez's future coming up for the Pirates...or does his future hold a position switch?

[kab21]

I was wondering how the Jason Bay deal affects Avlarez's road to the majors at Pittsburgh. With the Pirates getting LaRoche, is this a bit of a block for Alvarez's future coming up for the Pirates...or does his future hold a position switch?

I think you worry about that in 2 years if

A) LaRoche actually shows that he's a good player

B) Alvarez flies thru the minors as fast as everyone is predicting. He's extremely good, but any prospect can underperform.

It also wouldn't be real surprising to see Andy's brother Adam traded or let go as a FA after the '09 season. And then one of the 2 (or Steve Pearce) switches to 1B. Or they move Andy for a pitcher in 2 years to free up a spot for Alvarez. It will sort itself out.

[Amatter32]

Alvarez will be affected just like Braun/LaPorta/Gamel in Milwaukee the past year. Someone will definitely have to move. Is it possible for Alvarez to return to Vanderbilt? I know that it has been thrown out there that the Pirates could have trouble signing him, this may have increased the chances.

There are several things that may happen, any of these guys could move, maybe Andy to 2b? He has played 2b before. He probably wouldn't win any Gold Gloves but it could work.

[Montana]

You guys think it'll really be 2 years before Alvarez is brought up?.......I thought the talk was that he could even get a taste of the bigs at some point next year.

[MaudDib]

If Alvarez had signed quickly and started playing this year then I might have expected to see him in Sept of next year under the best case scenerio. But know you should kind of give him the Matt Wieters timeframe. Wieters signed late last year but has been tearing it up in the minors and should see a call-up at some point next year. Whether it is early or just a Sept call-up is up for debate. If Alvarez can come in like Weiters than I would expect him to do the same thing.

[Curtis Pride]

I think Oakland had been trying to get LaRoche. It would be great if LaRoche showed he could play, and then the Pirates traded him to Oakland for some of Oakland's vast vast pitching depth. The Pirates need starting pitching desperately.