UPDATE: The deal is official.
-----
One of the most significant under-the-radar moves this MLB offseason came when the Miami Marlins non-tendered starter Henderson Alvarez. The Oakland Athletics are looking to capitalize on that, according to the latest rumors.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported earlier today that the A's and Alvarez were nearing an agreement on a contract. Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports followed that up shortly after and said the deal is for one year and $4 million with "big incentives."
Chris Cotillo of SB Nation says the right-hander can earn up to $5.85 million if the incentives are achieved. He will make $4.25 million in 2016 with $1.6 million in bonuses.
Alvarez, 25, was limited to four starts in 2015 before being shut down with a shoulder injury and then undergoing surgery. Reports this offseason suggested he won't be ready for Opening Day, which is why the Marlins non-tendered him to avoid paying him $4 million for 2016, which is what he was projected to earn in his second year of arbitration eligibility.
In five MLB seasons the right-hander is 27-34 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 296 strikeouts in 92 starts (563 innings. His best season came in 2014 when he finished 12-7 with a 2.65 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 30 starts (187 innings). He was an All-Star that season and finished 12th in the NL Cy Young voting.
This is a classic move for the A's, who are keen on signing low-risk, high-reward players. Alvarez possesses the potential to be an everyday mid-rotation starter, and possibly a No. 2 if he replicates his 2014 campaign.
It'll be interesting to see if the Athletics have other offseason plans in terms of moving around players in their rotation. Right now the depth chart lists Sonny Gray, Jesse Hahn, Kendall Graveman, Chris Bassitt, Rich Hill, Jarrod Parker and Aaron Brooks as the team's starters. Oakland already moved pitcher Jesse Chavez in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays and bolstered their bullpen in acquiring Liam Hendriks.
The addition of Alvarez, if he pans out, could give the A's formidable trade chips before the non-waiver deadline this year.
Stay tuned for an official announcement regarding the deal with Alvarez.