MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez has reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed Cuban infielder Hector Olivera to a $62.5 million six year deal, outbidding teams among the likes of the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants , and the San Diego Padres.
Source: Cuban INF Hector Olivera has agreed to a 6-year, $62.5 million deal with Dodgers. $28MM signing bonus. Check http://t.co/mkcBse7p5i
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) March 24, 2015
The move is high profile compared to other moves made by the Dodgers this off season, which consisted of acquiring veterans Brandon McCarthy, Jimmy Rollins, and Howie Kendrick among others, while letting go of Matt Kemp and other long-time Dodgers through a series of trades and free agent acquisitions.
Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman would not confirm the signing when talking to MLB.com, but did speak about his off-season moves saying, “When solving for winning, we have to cast a wide net. We will do as good a job as we can all over the world. When we find a fit — short or long term — we will be aggressive.”
Due to his age and highly touted experience playing baseball in Cuba, many believe Olivera will make an immediate impact at the major league level.
Where Olivera will play is the bigger question, as the Dodgers already have a crowded infield that consists of veterans Juan Uribe , Jimmy Rollins , Justin Turner , Howie Kendrick, and youthful prospects Alex Guerrero and Corey Seager.
The likely spot for Olivera is third base, where 36-year-old Juan Uribe currently plays. Uribe’s contract ends this season, and the youth of Seager and Guerrero are currently playing for time on the other side of the infield.
There have been rumors of a slightly torn UCL, and the contract reportedly includes a clause that gives the team a seventh season at $1 million if he needs Tommy John surgery.
