The Braves appear to be in the process of shifting Hector Olivera from third base to the outfield. We had heard recently that Olivera would spend some time in left in winter ball, though indications were that it was not intended as any kind of permanent move.
Now, it appears, Atlanta is set to embark upon a more dedicated transition process, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets. The Braves do indeed “seem ready to shift” Olivera to the grass after intensive internal discussion, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds (Twitter links). He says that Olivera will still spend some time at third in Puerto Rico, but will be playing there “just in case.”
Needless to say, it probably wasn’t the club’s first choice to be considering this kind of move so soon after adding Olivera. Atlanta plugged him in at third after acquiring him over the summer from the Dodgers. The hope had been that Olivera would represent a solid hitter and reasonable-enough defender who could hold down the hot corner at a low price point ($32.5MM over the next five years).
That’s not to say that Olivera can’t still deliver value. The team has consistently expressed confidence that he’ll come around with the bat, and he put up a roughly league-average .253/.310/.405 batting line in his first 87 plate appearances in the majors. If the 30-year-old can settle in at the dish, he might well turn into a solid regular.
That still leaves the team with the somewhat difficult task of filling in at third base, if in fact Olivera will end up in left field. The Braves can utilize Adonis Garcia, as the 30-year-old rookie did have a nice (albeit unlikely to be repeated) campaign last year, but he hardly seems an everyday player. Atlanta does have some notable prospects at the position in Rio Ruiz, 21, who reached (but did not master) Double-A last year, and the younger Austin Riley. But there’s no chance that they’ll represent an option this spring, and their developmental timelines remain uncertain. This year’s free agent market is rather weak, with players like Daniel Murphy (if he’s considered there, rather than at second), David Freese, and Juan Uribe representing the best options.
As I wrote yesterday in breaking down the Braves’ offseason, the Braves have more options — both internal and external — for the outfield. It’s also worth noting that some may now end up being pushed out. Nick Swisher could be a prime candidate — and I’d guess the team would part with him before Michael Bourn, given that the latter can play center — though he clearly has negative trade value.
Not a horrible move. Glad they’re starting the transition now instead of a week into Spring Training.
Yeah, they guy is already 30. If he can’t handle 3B at this point the Braves need to put him wherever he’s most likely to contribute. If that means being an average bat for a corner OF then so be it.
Just bring back Uribe. Hell he’ll probably help Olivera. It’ll do more good than harm. Plus its URIBE
this this this
Olivera’s fielding was shaky at best for the Dodgers during his time in the minors. As a Dodger fan I’m glad they moved him……I think his best days were left in Cuba.
Reminds me of the same transition the White Sox did with fellow Cuban national Dayan Viciedo who was also signed as a third baseman and was later moved to the outfield. Hopefully, Hector Olivera will have more success in MLB than ‘Tank’ has had.
Personally I wish they’d transition him to another team.
As a Braves fan, I still cannot comprehend what the Braves are trying to do. Seems like third base is the best option right now. We already have a logjam of outfielders.
That trade is just baffling.
Why is that trade so baffling if you believe that Alex Wood is replaceable, even if you don’t consider his previous history of Tommy John and declining velocity? Why is it also baffling to presumably sell-high on Jose Peraza, who was not going to be the 2B of the future with Albies in the fold, and was not hitting high minors pitching well, and doesn’t possess the on-base skills and plate discipline that this front office covets over everything? Trade them for a reasonable bat, albeit risky, that they’ve scouted quite a bit from making a losing bid on him. If he was paid twice what he makes OR hits consistently .100 points lower than his career AVG (in Cuba) of .300, then that’d be a huge loss. Glad they’re being creative.
We have a logjam of mediocre outfielders and none of them have Olivera’s potential power. How anyone is upset about this is whats truly baffling. Also, why does everyone have to point out theyre a fan before they make a comment? As if that suddenly gives them credibility. Not picking on you its just what I see all the time and im confused
I said I was a fan to show that I am biased toward all their decisions as good ones. But it’s not a good move when there are plenty of good decent outfielders to be had, and some even on the way, and third base is a less appealing crop with only a slight glimmer of hope in the future there with Rio Ruiz.
Put him in the pen
I was rooting for a transition to 2b, but this works too. As well as the aforementioned players, prado and zobrist could now be seen as targets.
I’m really hoping the braves pursue Trevor Plouffe though. He’d be a nice fill in with gap power(something the braves really need) and is out of a position with sano hitting everything into the atmosphere.
Plouffe: A lot of power, a lot of strikeouts, low AVG. Hello 2014 Braves.
He was actually pretty middle of the pack as far as K’s go. Especially among 3Bs. Less than Longo, Donaldson, Carpenter, and Bryant.
Plus his defense has steadily improved and should he excel in the national league, he’d be an awesome trading chip at the deadline.
Prb so he can concentrate primarily on hitting, which is why the Braves got him in the first place.
Millions thrown at Cuban league ballplayers who have never played an inning in either minor or major league games, and is it surprising that their skills just don’t seem to translate???
They don’t hit as expected, and defensively are always switching positions to “find a fit”!!!
Sorry Jeff but .253 and 33 Million doesn’t seem like a bargain to me.
And by the way, who really believes either of these guys are actually 30?
Does anyone look at Adonis Garcia’s defensive numbers before suggesting he play third? Garcia is a third baseman like Joey Terdoslavich is a third baseman; -3DRS, – 0.3UZR, .686 RZR and an .896 FP. He was a bad infielder in Cuba and a worse one here.
Playing every day or even semi regularly pitchers will quickly stop throwing him fastballs and his power will vanish.
I think the Braves should move H.O. to left and then go out and sign this guy to man the hot corner:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n578/promotionmusic/hectornav1copy.jpg