The pursuit of Hector Olivera was already surrounded by mystery, but now the plot has thickened. The soon-to-be30-year-old Cuban infielder has agreed to a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the Dodgers, perhaps the team best positioned to absorb the risks he presents. Los Angeles is already poised to set a major league record with a $268 million payroll, albeit one that lacks an immediate opening for Olivera, a pricey player whose health and representation issues scared away potential suitors.

That figure will increase in 2015, as will the teams marginal tax rate, to 40%. The current $268.3 million figure, which comes via Cots Contracts, includes actual '15 salaries, but not that of Olivera, since its unofficial and its structure is yet unknown; based on its AAV, the Associated Press estimated that it would add $4.17 million to the teams tax bill.

In terms of overall size, Olivera's deal ranks behind those of recent Cuban defectors Rusney Castillo (seven years, $72.5 million from the Red Sox), Yasmany Tomas (six years, $68.5 million from the Diamondbacks) and Jose Abreu (six years and $68 million from the White Sox). Its the Dodgers largest to a Cuban defector, eclipsing the seven-year, $42 million to which the team signed the much younger Yasiel Puig in 2012.

As if that weren't enough, Olivera changed representation shortly after being declared a free agent, but Rudy& Santin, his original trainer/negotiation representative (who is not certified by the MLB Players Association), and new agent Greg Genske both continued to field offers from teams. Santin was said to be expecting a deal in excess of $70 million, but reports from several anonymous executives suggested his deal would wind up in the $4550 million range. When I checked in on March 10, the Braves, Padres and Dodgers were the teams most heavily linked to Olivera, with the Athletics, Giants and Marlins having fallen out of the running.

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In the abstract, it's no surprise that the Dodgers won out for Olivera's services given their seemingly bottomless reserve of resources, but with Howie Kendrick and Juan Uribe set to open as their starting second and third baseman, respectively, it's not clear where Olivera will play. Via FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers themselves haven't decided:

The 31-year-old Kendrick, who was acquired from the Angels in December to replace the traded Dee Gordon, and the 36-year-old Uribe, who is heading into his fifth season with the Dodgers, are both pending free agents, and relatively affordable ones at that, making $9.5 million and $6.5 million this year, respectively. Both are coming off productive seasons and offer strong defense to go with above-average offense: Kendrick hit .293/.347/.397 for a 115 OPS+ and seven Defensive Runs Saved en route to 5.4 WAR last year, and Uribe hit .311/.337/.440 with an NL-high 17 DRS en route to 4.0 WAR.

Kendrick will almost certainly generate a compensatory draft pick via a qualifying offer next winter. The same probably can't be said for Uribea Ned Colletti signing who has put up two strong seasons in a row after two sub-replacement level onesgiven his age, but he has emerged as a particularly important clubhouse presence, as well as a mentor to players as disparate as Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Reigning NL MVP and Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw thanked Uribe in his acceptance speech for the latter award: "Thank you for making me laugh. You are one of the most important people in our clubhouse."

Guerrero missed seven weeks last year after Albuquerque teammate Miguel Olivo big off part of his left ear in a dugout skirmish, a shocking and untimely blow that came just as Uribe hit the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Now 28 years old, Guerrerowho hit .333/.373/.621 in 308 minor league PA last year, his first statesideis making a strong bid to stick by playing shortstop, his regular position during his seven seasons in Serie Nacional but one that he played in just seven minor league games last year.

Guerreros four-year, $28 million deal includes a provision allowing him to become a free agent at season's end if he's traded, though he could play his way into the teams plans as Kendricks successor. Olivera would then shift to third, with prospect Corey Seager, whos starting his age-21 season at Double A, taking over shortstop from Jimmy Rollins, a December acquisition who will be a free agent after the season. The 25-year-old Arruebarrena, meanwhile, hit a combined .259/.304/.417 in 272 minor league PA and was outrighted off the Dodgers' 40-man roster in January after clearing waivers, meaning that there were no takers for the remainder of his five-year, $25 million deal.

Original post:
Dodgers add to infield stockpile with deal for Cuban star Hector Olivera

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March 24, 2015 at 8:36 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
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