Pirates step up negotiations with high draft pick Alvarez

NEW YORK (AP) — Testimony was called off Tuesday as lawyers tried to complete a $6,355,000, four-year contract between third baseman Pedro Alvarez and the Pittsburgh Pirates and a settlement of a grievance filed by the players’ union.

Arbitrator Shyam Das began hearing the case Sept. 10 and had scheduled additional testimony for Tuesday and today. In case a deal isn’t reached, today’s hearing date remains on hold.

Alvarez, the No. 2 pick in the June amateur draft, agreed to a minor league contract with a $6 million signing bonus minutes after the Aug. 15 deadline, and the union contended the commissioner’s office and the Pirates could not move the deadline without consent of the players’ association.

Under the contemplated agreement, Alvarez would receive a signing bonus in four $1.5 million installments, with one payment Dec. 24 and three payments on each June 15 starting in 2009.

He would be guaranteed annual salaries of $88,750 in the minor leagues. If he is on the major league roster during the season, he would get $400,000 next year, $500,000 in 2010, $550,000 in 2011 and $700,000 in 2012.

Under his original deal, Alvarez would have received his signing bonus in two installments of $3 million, payable 90 days after approval and next June 1.