Dodgers sign Cuban infielder Hector Olivera to six-year, $62.5 million deal
The Dodgers interest in Olivera should not come as a surprise. The team has been rumored as a heavy favorite to sign the infielder for months now. Los Angeles has been extremely active on the Cuban market in recent years, bringing in Yasiel Puig, Alex Guerrero and Pablo Millan Fernandez (among others) in recent seasons.
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What may come as a surprise is the price and length of the contract. Olivera’s deal is the fourth-highest given to a Cuban player. There have been some questions regarding Olivera’s medicals, as Jeff Passan reported in March that Olivera could have a damaged UCL in his throwing arm. If that report is true, there’s a chance Olivera could undergo Tommy John surgery, which would knock him out for an entire season.
That would be a significant blow, as Olivera will turn 30 as the season begins. While he’s considered major-league ready, it’s unclear whether he has a spot on the Dodgers right now. Olivera has experience at both second and third base, but those positions are occupied by Howie Kendrick and Juan Uribe right now. Both players are set to become free agents following the season, so Olivera could easily slide into a starting role in 2016.
During the 2013-14 season in Cuba, Olivera hit .341/.462/.626, with 17 home runs, in 2014 plate appearances. He missed the entire 2012-13 season while recovering from thrombosis in his left biceps. Upon his return, Olivera was mostly used as a designated hitter, though he did see 29 games at second base.
Since Olivera played more than five seasons in Cuba, he is exempt from bonus pools, so the Dodgers will not have to pay an extra fee for signing him. This was not the case with Yoan Moncada, who recently signed a $31.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. Because Moncada was still subject to bonus pools, the Red Sox had to pay an additional $31.5 million to Major League Baseball.
Olivera still needs to obtain a visa, so there’s no guarantee he’s with the club by opening day. It’s also unclear whether the team will want him to receive minor-league at-bats before a promotion, which could push back his major-league debut.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
