The Brewers announced Friday that Alvarez joined the organization as an assistant in the baseball operations department.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez's move into Milwaukee's front office effectively signals the end of his playing days. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2008 first-year player draft, Alvarez reached the big leagues in 2010 and spent parts of nine seasons in the majors with the Pirates and Orioles. The power-hitting corner infielder was named an All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner in 2013 after slugging a career-high 36 home runs, and he had three other seasons with at least 20 long balls. However, Alvarez's poor contact rate and lack of defensive flexibility played a large part in him being out of baseball after his age-31 season.

Alvarez is rehabbing his Achilles in hopes of returning to the majors in 2019, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez appeared in 21 games for the Marlins in spring training, hitting .324/.400/.647 with three homers in those appearances, but opted to become a free agent after being informed he wouldn't be on the team's Opening Day roster.

Alvarez opted out of his minor-league contract Saturday with the Marlins and has 48 hours to decide whether to remain in the organization, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez exercised the opt-out after being informed he would not make the Opening Day roster, and now has a chance to pursue opportunities elsewhere. The veteran slugger would be headed to Triple-A New Orleans should he choose to stay with the Marlins.

Alvarez went 2-for-2 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez had only two extra-base hits this spring prior to Saturday, but was able to go deep twice after entering the game as a pinch runner. The 32-year-old joined the Marlins on a minor-league deal in December and is fighting for a place on the Opening Day roster.

Alvarez signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Monday which includes an invitation to spring training, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There are few organizations easier to battle for a roster spot with than the Marlins, but even so, Alvarez doesn't necessarily have an inside shot. He's primarily a designated hitter, having started just 13 games in the field over the last two seasons. He no longer appears to have the bat capable of carrying his value as a bat-only player, though, as he hit just .180/.283/.414 in 45 games with the Orioles last season. Some positive regression from his .179 BABIP could help, but he'll be 32 years old next season and the rebuilding Marlins will likely prefer to give playing time to younger players.

Alvarez elected free agency Thursday, Baseball America reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez hit .180/.283/.414 with eight homers across 45 games with the Orioles before being designated for assignment. He'll now hit the open market after finishing the season with Triple-A Norfolk. Entering his age-32 season, Alvarez will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal in 2019.

Alvarez was moved to the 7-day disabled list Friday due to an Achilles injury, David Hall of The Virginian-Pilot reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez has posted a .285/.331/.467 slash line with eight homers and 32 RBI through 43 games at Triple-A Norfolk in 2018. The severity of the injury is currently unclear, so it's unknown if he'll require more than the minimum on the shelf.

The Orioles outrighted Alvarez to Triple-A Norfolk.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, none of the other 29 teams were willing to put in a waiver claim on Alvarez, a player with limited defensive value who only managed a .180/.283/.414 line across 127 plate appearances with the Orioles. He'll likely see steady at-bats as a designated hitter for Norfolk and post gaudy power production, but Alvarez has proven overmatched against major-league competition since joining the Baltimore organization in 2016.

Alvarez was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Alvarez is hitting just .091 across seven games (two starts) in June and .180 on the season, so the Orioles decided to drop him from their 40-man roster. Steve Wilkerson had his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding roster move. Alvarez will now take a spin through waivers.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Thursday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

With Mark Trumbo (knee) still sidelined and a right-hander on mound, Alvarez got his second chance to start in the Orioles' series against the White Sox. He took advantage by getting on base three times, though he did fail to hit for any extra-bases. Overall, the story remains the same for Alvarez as he is slugging .484 but striking out at a 24% clip in 93 at-bats this season.