THE BULLPEN

     Well, Black-N-Gold fans, our Buccos cut the cord on Wednesday night with slugger Pedro Alvarez by non-tendering him a contract. This sets El Toro up as a free agent. Free to go and play for whatever team he chooses. If any team will have him. According to Pirates GM Neal Huntington, the Bucs tried to trade Pedro leading up to the tender deadline and received nary an offer. Could it be that no team has use for a man who once led the NL with 36 home runs? Or is it that no team wants a player who led Major League 1B last season with 23 errors? Today, Mrs. Black-N-Gold takes a look at the Black-N-Gold career of one, Pedro Alvarez.

                                         THE PUZZLING PARADIGM OF PEDRO

     Pedro Alvarez. One of the most polarizing sports figures to ever wear the Black-N-Gold. Day and night. Black and white. Love and hate. Especially love and hate. Fans loved El Toro or they hated him. Or they loved to hate him. They would love it when he'd launch a cannonball into the Allegheny. They'd hate it when he'd launch a throw from third into the third row behind first base. They'd love his tremendous power and potential. They'd hate what they perceived as apathy and aloofness.

    Pedro's career in the Black-N-Gold began awash in controversy from the beginning. After the Buccos drafted him #2 overall in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft, it appeared that they managed to sign him at the 11th hour before the signing deadline had passed. Not so said Super Agent Scott Boras. Thus began The Puzzling Paradigm of Pedro. Following a grievance filed by the Players Association, agent and team reached a deal. Pedro's career would be delayed due to the process getting under way the following season.

      Pedro's stay in Pittsburgh was a veritable emotional rollercoaster. From strikeouts to grand salamis we had it all. He refused to play winter ball. Yet he was the Pirates best player in the 2013 NL Division Series versus St. Louie. He lost his ability to throw the ball across the diamond from third base. He could hit the ball a country mile. He chose not to attend voluntary workouts to help him acclimate to the switch to first base.

      Through it all, Pedro's demeanor remained, pretty much, the same. He could go 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts. He could hit a solo homer in the 7th. He'd give you the lead with a tape-measure tater in one inning and make a 2-run error the next. Pedro was always Pedro. He'd rarely speak to the media, win or lose. Some say he has a disorder of some kind. In Mrs. Black-N-Gold's day it was considered being introverted or shy.

         Pedro Alvarez. All-Star. Silver Slugger. Home run champ. Clumsy. Error-prone. Bull in a china shop. Say what you will. Mrs. Black-N-Gold will miss his 27 home runs. What she won't miss are the 23 errors.

          Since the Pirates didn't want to pay Pedro's projected $8 million salary, maybe they'll settle for a smaller version of Pedro for half the price. Where is that Mini-Pedro kid when you need him? Let's Go Bucs!!!!!