The Los Angeles Dodgers might have prized international signee Hector Olivera in the fold by Friday, per MLB.com. Olivera's arrival in the United States has been delayed by issues with his visa, which he finally received on Monday. He was signed this offseason by the Dodgers to a six-year, $62.5 million contract.
Olivera comes with some injury issues; a potentially bad elbow was discovered in a physical prior to his signing, but if he requires Tommy John surgery at any point during the deal the Dodgers will get a seventh year from him at $1 million. He was expected to start his Dodgers career in the minor leagues, but an uncertain situation at the hot corner may allow him to step right in.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly hesitated to call third base an "open" position, but told The Orange County Register that it's been a revolving door. "I don't like saying that but, yeah, third base this year has been a little bit like the outfield last year, trying to figure out that spot."
Fellow Cuban import Alex Guerrero has hit well in 2015, but he has spent a fair amount of time in the outfield while another Cuban, Yasiel Puig, has been out with a hamstring injury. Olivera has no MLB track record, but he comes as a highly-touted hitter.
"This guy was a prolific power hitter, great average, great numbers, international star, World Baseball Classic veteran," MLB.com reporter Jesse Sanchez said. "He has a lot of things going for him. I think the thing is people question his age. He's had a history of blood clot disorders that he says has passed now. There were some physical issues that people questioned.
"I think you look at the level of commitment from the Dodgers, a team that has a long history on the international market, a long history of doing homework on players, he was worth the risk."
[MLB.com]
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