The Pedro Alvarez era with the Pittsburgh Pirates is over.

Just like that.

When the Pirates non-tendered Alvarez this past Wednesday, they avoided a likely arbitration battle with the slugger and made him an instant free agent.

Alvarez made $5.6 million with the Bucs in 2015 and likely would have been awarded well over $8 million in arbitration. His 27 home runs in 2015 were overshadowed by his 23 errors at first base.

The Pirates clearly reached the point where the projection of having to pay Alvarez big money was not worth dealing with the question as to whether his power numbers outweigh his defensive struggles.

After failing to find a trade partner for Alvarez — other major league clubs likely shied away from his contract situation as well — the Bucs decided to bid him goodbye.

It’s sad in a way.

The second overall pick in the 2008 draft, Alvarez created an immediate buzz among Pirate fans. The power-hitting third baseman from Vanderbilt represented a sign that the franchise was serious about selecting the best player available regardless of the potential price tag.

The club’s first-round picks the previous two years were pitchers Brad Lincoln and Daniel Moskos. Pitcher Bryan Bullington was selected No. 1 overall by the Bucs earlier in that decade.

When the Pirates finally ended their 20-year run of losing seasons in 2013, Alvarez was one of the cogs behind that team’s run to the postseason. He hit 36 homers, collected 100 RBI and was deemed one of baseball’s bright young stars.

He was also the Pirates’ most productive hitter in their five-game NL Division Series loss to St. Louis that October.

Two years later, Alvarez is out of here.

He developed throwing issues at third base that necessitated the Pirates moving him across the diamond to first base this season.

Knowing full well he was switching positions, Alvarez turned down an opportunity to play first base in winter ball last off-season, figuring he could learn how to play first adequately enough in spring training.

But not only did he commit 23 errors, he allowed numerous hits through the right side of the infield because of a lack of range.

Alvarez hit 131 home runs in five-plus years with the Pirates, but never mastered command of the strike zone as a hitter. He struck out 809 times and walked on just 259 occasions.

He hit .256 in his rookie season, but has not approached the .250 mark since.

Alvarez will almost assuredly wind up in the American League, where he can become a designated hitter and rack up 600 at bats without having to worry about being pulled for a defensive replacement. He will likely hit more than 30 home runs as a result.

El Toro will definitely strike again.

But it will be while wearing another uniform.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle