While 19-year-old shortstop Yoan Moncada has the eyes of baseball on his free agency, another Cuban infielder could make his way to the Los Angeles Dodgers-29-year-old Hector Olivera.
OK, so it's five teams over $70M on Hector Olivera. But I still wish the Brothers Gourriel could play in The States
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) February 17, 2015
According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, Olivera has five teams interested and preparing to pay him upward of $70 million when he officially becomes a free agent. Per MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, Olivera "is seeking a five-to-six-year deal that rivals the contracts awarded to Arizona's Yasmany Tomas (six years, $68.5 million) and Boston's Rusney Castillo (seven years, $72.5 million)."
Unlike Moncada, Olivera can be signed without penalties because of his age. In Moncada's case, the $30 to $40 million he is expected to sign for can be doubled because of the 100 percent tax on going over MLB's international spending limit.
The Oakland A's are reportedly interested in Olivera as well. While Oakland notably doesn't spend big money on free agents very often, they did splurge on Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes when he entered the MLB picture and were rewarded.
Olivera's age might give pause, but scouts believe that he can bop as many as 20 home runs and reach 75 RBI as a rookie. Olivera also has the ability to play shortstop or third base.
Olivera doesn't have the absolute upside of Moncada, considered the best prospect to leave Cuba since Yasiel Puig, but he could be an excellent consolation prize for the clubs chasing Moncada that are not able to land him.
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