Second baseman Hector Olivera has defected from his home country of Cuba in order to pursue a career in the majors, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Olivera will ultimately not be subject to international bonus pool restrictions, but still must go through the process of establishing residency in a third country, obtaining OFAC clearance, and being declared a MLB free agent.
The 29-year-old rated as the sixth-best player still plying his trade in Cuba, according to a recent ranking from Baseball America (subscription required). As Badler notes, however, Olivera comes with more than the usual uncertainty since he missed all of last season with a reported case of thrombosis in his left biceps.
But Olivera has come back strong this year, Badler explains, even if his overall production has not quite met the lofty standard he set previously. Generally, Olivera has shown pretty much everything you could want in a hitter. In a sample of his most recent 273 plate appearances, he not only has an attractive .316/.412/.474 line, but has swatted seven home runs and walked more times than he has struck out.
As Badler notes, Olivera has split his time between second and a DH role since returning from his injury. He will obviously have plenty to prove to scouts, though he does have prior international exposure. Olivera will surely hope to show that he is at full health and that his skills are still at their peak as he approaches age 30 (his birthday is in April). With an upcoming free agent market that is light on talent at second base, Olivera could provide an intriguing possibility for the many clubs that might be interested in a new addition at the keystone.
Let the frenzy begin.
Yanks should try to get this guy. We didn’t have space for the OF and 1B players coming over from Cuba, but middle infield is a huge weakness for the team. I hope they make a competitive offer, if everything else checks out with Olivera.
Agreed. He’s a Yankee.
Unless Prado is starting at shortstop every day I don’t see it. I’d rather get a SS, have Prado play 2nd and see what happens with Refsynder.
You’d think that by now, the Cuban government would catch on that nobody really wants to stay there.
Do you think they are unaware?
The people in the top are able to be best off with the current situation, and thus everything else falls into place.
He’s MLB ready, great ball player!!
I hope he’s ready; he’ll be 30 next season.
The Jays need him
so who are the 5 better players in Cuba and why haven’t they left?
Because it’s their home. A lot of people would rather stay there and work for change than move somewhere else and leave their families behind.
Plus, nationalism, climate, pre-existing fame.
Because that is a big Prision, they put their life in risk to be free and play where they belong at the maximum level.
Oakland needs him. He would love it in Oakland and can become a allstar.
These Cuban signings are going to take a turn for the worse here eventually. I’m sure the best players such as Cespedes, Puig, Soler, Abreu, Chapman are already here. More young phenoms will come along but I’d be wary of the direction this market is headed. I’ve been watching Rusney Castillo with the Red Sox and I’m concerned. While his defense looks fine perhaps better, his speed on the base paths and out of the box is not as elite as everyone said. Furthermore I have a hard time seeing him prospering offensively. Every swing is from his heels. He does not stay through the zone for long. I’m just having a hard time seeing anything good with him. Their will still be good players coming over here but a lot of these guys coming here right now in their late twenties are signing contracts above and beyond what they are worth. The Cuban market is no longer the market inefficiency that is was.
Blue Jays. 3 years, 30 million. You heard it here first.
So you’re saying he fits the Jays’ needs nicely? I’m listening….
Reasoning? He will no longer be able to play there due to the defection.
Oh really, why?
Have you seen a Cuban league game? They need their talent to stay in Cuba.