Cuban infielder Hector Olivera is closer to signing an MLB contract. The frontrunners for his services appear to be the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants.
According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Olivera is "considering several offers in the four- to six-year range and could come to terms with a team this week." He's expected to contribute to a major league club immediately and should be able to play second or third base, according to scouts who have been keeping an eye on him for years.
The 29-year-old's journey to play in the MLB has been an interesting one. He defected from Cuba last year but was only recently declared a free agent. It was also speculated he suffered a partially torn UCL in his throwing arm, but he has conducted a number of private workouts and passed a handful of physicals to prove he's healthy. But health issues have kept him off the field - he has played in only 73 games (mostly at DH) over the past two years because he missed all of the 2012-2013 season due to a rare blood disorder. In 2011 he played in a career-low 60 games, making his total 133 games over the past three seasons.
Although it was said the San Diego Padres are positioning themselves to become the favorites for Olivera, we can't rule out the presence of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who (like the Padres) missed out on prized Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada after he signed with the Boston Red Sox in February.
"The Dodgers have scouted Olivera, 29, extensively and are one of three teams to reportedly have given him a physical. He became eligible to sign Friday. And, of course, he will not come cheaply," writes Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times. "... The Dodgers are treating Olivera very seriously. For one year they almost acted like Cuba was their private talent pipeline. They have been almost strangely quiet since, which could make his signing very interesting."
Yes, it would be interesting. The Dodgers have Howie Kendrick at second base, Jimmy Rollins at shortstop and Juan Uribe at third. Behind each of these veterans they have talented prospects Darnell Sweeney (2B), Corey Seager (SS) and Alex Guerrero (2B/SS/3B/OF). Obviously the team could still execute trades to make some room in the infield beyond the 2015 season, but it's unknown what their plan is.
As for Olivera, his offensive output does all the talking. In 642 games in Cuba's Serie Nacionale, the infielder batted .323/.407/.505 with 619 runs scored, 96 home runs, 433 RBIs and 55 stolen bases. Look for him to land a deal of at least $50 million.
