Pedro Alvarez skipped the Pirates' minicamp last week despite the team's intention to teach and play him at a new position (first base) in 2015.

Alvarez skipped the Pirates' minicamp last week, despite the team's intention to teach and play him at a new position (first base) in 2015.

Analysis:

The organization and Alvarez have been unable to agree upon a contract for 2015 and are headed for arbitration. Pittsburgh recently hired former first baseman, Kevin Young, as a special assistant, and one of Young's first duties was to help Alvarez transition from third base to first, but the enigmatic slugger chose to skip the voluntary workouts. Alvarez has two seasons left with Pittsburgh before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Scott Boras-represented infielder is unlikely to sign long term with the Pirates and could be traded, if and when he rebuilds his trade value.