José Álvarez Fantasy Stats

Left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2022 campaign. Alvarez has combined to produce a 3.32 ERA over the past six seasons, which he has spent with the Angels and Phillies. Utilized primarily as a left-handed specialist, he has held same-side batters to a .241/.287/.376 slash line throughout his career. The San Francisco bullpen is a wide-open affair during Cactus League play, although it's unlikely that Alvarez -- who has just three career saves -- will factor into closer plans.

Free-agent left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez is closing in on a deal with the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Alvarez, who will turn 32 years old in May, debuted with the Detroit Tigers in 2013 and has also pitched for the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. Alvarez has a subpar career strikeout percentage of 20.8, but he's posted a respectable 3.59 ERA and 3.85 SIERA in 340 2/3 career major league innings. The southpaw has thrown 50-plus innings on four separate occasions, although he only managed 6 1/3 frames in 2020 due to a groin injury. If Alvarez does join the Giants, he'd be joining fellow lefties Jake McGee, Jarlin Garcia, Sam Selman, Wandy Peralta and Caleb Baragar on the 40-man roster.

Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarez is not guaranteed to return in 2020 after sustaining a testicular contusion Aug. 20, but manager Joe Girardi made clear Thursday that if he does return, it wont be until the postseason. Should Philadelphia be on the outside looking in come the playoffs, Alvarez will finish the year with just one run allowed in 6 frames. Set to become a free agent at seasons end, Alvarez likely has little season-long appeal heading into 21 due to the nature of his bullpen role.

The Los Angeles Angels have traded left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-hander Luis Garcia. Alvarez was one of LA's steadiest relievers, posting a 2.71 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in 63 innings last season. Garcia is a flame-throwing right-hander who posted an excellent 10.0 K/9 last season, but struggled to a 6.06 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He did post a 3.51 FIP, and it's possible the Angels look at him as a closing option next season. Keep him on the radar in AL-only leagues.

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jose Alvarez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.05 million contract. It is his first year of arbitration eligibility. Alvarez posted a 3.88 ERA over 64 appearances last season for the Angels.

The Angels have optioned left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez to Triple-A Salt Lake and have recalled right-hander Brooks Pounders in his place. The move leaves them with no left-handed pitchers in their bullpen. Alvarez, 28, has thrown 28 innings with the Angels so far this season and has a 5.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 25 strikeouts and one save. His 4.78 FIP suggests he has gotten a bit unlucky, but regardless he has not pitched exceptionally well in 2017. It is interesting to see the Angels get rid of their one left-hander however. Pounders has thrown 7 1/3 innings with the Halos and has a 4.91 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. With the closing situation a wide-open one in LA right now, it is worth at least keeping an eye on someone like Pounders, who has an 11.05 K/9 in his small sample size. However, unless he is getting consistent saves (which seems extremely unlikely) he is not worth a roster spot in any format.