Former Yankees, S.F. Giants Minor Leaguer is Sneaky Option for A's at Third Base

There will be a battle at third base for playing time in Oakland

A few weeks ago, the Oakland A's signed Armando Alvarez to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training, and assigned him to Triple-A Las Vegas. Alvarez was originally selected by the New York Yankees in the 17th round of the 2016 Draft, and was with the organization until he elected free agency following the 2022 campaign. 

At that point, the San Francisco Giants signed him to the minor-league deal. He missed a couple of months early in the season due to injury in 2023, but returned towards the end of June and ended up having a solid season in Sacramento, batting .308 with a .379 OBP, 18 home runs, 56 rbi, and eight stolen bases in 74 games. Granted, the Pacific Coast League is a very hitter-friendly place to play, but Alvarez's wRC+ still came in at 125, or 25% better than league average. 

On top of those numbers, he also walked 10.7% of the time and struck out just 15.8%, so he has a good eye at the dish. 

Alvarez has spent the last four seasons in Triple-A, dating back to 2019. In 337 games he has hit a combined .271 with a .330 OBP. This past season in the Giants system was the first one since he was in High-A back in 2018 that he posted a double-digit walk rate. He has also shown improved power at the dish each of the last three seasons, hitting ten, 18, and 18 homers dating back to 2021. Each season he has accumulated those home run totals in fewer and fewer games.

While the Yankees and Giants are teams with aspirations of contending year over year that have made it difficult to find an in for Alvarez at the big-league level, the A's are looking for pieces that can fit on their club in the short and long term. 

Third base in one position that isn't necessarily locked down. Yes, the A's traded for Abraham Toro this winter and he's likely to slot in as the Opening Day third baseman, but Alvarez could be there as another option that could garner a look deep into Spring Training. 

The two immediate roadblocks on his path to Oakland are that he is not currently on the 40-man roster (which can be adjusted when injuries occur), and that Toro is out of options, meaning he would have to clear waivers in order to be sent to the minors. 

If there were an injury on the infield that Toro could slide over to cover, then that could also open up third base for Alvarez. 

Toro went 8-for-18 (.444) with two home runs and nine rbi in limited action with Milwaukee last season, and also swung the bat well in Triple-A, batting .291 with a .374 OBP. Toro likely has more upside, but Alvarez could push him during camp and into the regular season. 

Not to be forgotten is A's #10 prospect Brett Harris, 25, who got into 37 games in Vegas last season and hit .271 with a 347 OBP and showcased his solid glove. Harris could be the long-term solution the A's are waiting on, but Alvarez and Toro will be looking to carve out a regular spot on this club come February. 

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