(SportsNetwork.com) – The Los Angeles Dodgers and Cuban free agent second
baseman Hector Olivera have reportedly agreed to terms on a six-year contract.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the contract is worth $62.5 million over
the length of the contract and includes a $28 million signing bonus.
Olivera, who will turn 30 on April 5, was a standout offensive player in Cuba
and can also play third base. He was ranked as the No. 4 prospect at the 2009
World Baseball Classic by Baseball America.
Multiple teams were, however, concerned about Olivera’s health. He missed the
2012-13 season with what was said to be a blood clot in his left arm and
may reportedly need surgery to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament on
his throwing arm.
The highly-touted infielder is not the first Cuban defector to sign with the
Dodgers in recent years, as Yasiel Puig, Alex Guerrero, Erisbel Arruebarrena
and Pablo Millan Fernandez have also left their native country to play in Los
Angeles.
The Yankees, Braves, Marlins, Giants and Padres were all reported to be
interested in signing Olivera.
