Hector Olivera signs with the Dodgers

[50PoundHead]

That's the range I expect it to end up, just a matter of how many guaranteed years IMO.

That would be the key point to me. We obtained two minor league 3B prospects over the winter and one of them will likely start the season in AA. That doesn't mean we have greatness on the cusp of the big leagues, but tying up Oliveras for four or five years could cause a logjam.

 

[Braves1976]

That would be the key point to me. We obtained two minor league 3B prospects over the winter and one of them will likely start the season in AA. That doesn't mean we have greatness on the cusp of the big leagues, but tying up Oliveras for four or five years could cause a logjam.

The Braves believe Olivera can play the outfield too so 4 or 5 years shouldn't be an issue. In other words, if needed we could move Olivera to the outfield later on rather than keep him at third.

 

[50PoundHead]

The Braves believe Olivera can play the outfield too so 4 or 5 years shouldn't be an issue. In other words, if needed we could move Olivera to the outfield later on rather than keep him at third.

Good to know. I just worry about signing a guy to a hefty contract to play a position that he may not have played regularly. I'm not saying that Olivera couldn't do it (and Lord knows the paucity of high-tier OF prospects we currently have in the high minors), but it stretch of sorts.

 

[JohnAdcox]

Good to know. I just worry about signing a guy to a hefty contract to play a position that he may not have played regularly. I'm not saying that Olivera couldn't do it (and Lord knows the paucity of high-tier OF prospects we currently have in the high minors), but it stretch of sorts.

Not trying to be dickish, so please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not sure I see your argument. When has depth ever been a problem for anyone?

 

[dak]

@jonmorosi
#Braves having ongoing conversations with Hector Olivera's camp, source confirms. @BenBadler listed them as among favorites to sign him.

 

[MadduxFanII]

Dak, beating me to the punch.

Perhaps the organization might out-flank my cynicism for once. Of course, if we sign him, that will mean he surely does have a torn UCL or will tear it upon signing his contract.

Dammit, stop that right now mister.

 

[yeezus]

Dak, beating me to the punch.

Perhaps the organization might out-flank my cynicism for once. Of course, if we sign him, that will mean he surely does have a torn UCL or will tear it upon signing his contract.

Dammit, stop that right now mister.

No, he will just come here and forget how to hit.

 

[sturg33]

I should know better than to get excited prior to a deal being announced... BUT

Would this guy step into our starting lineup right away?

 

[thethe]

This would be great if Oliviera was brought in to the fold and would add to the notion that some of us felt this was the Braves approach the whole time.

 

[thethe]

I should know better than to get excited prior to a deal being announced... BUT

Would this guy step into our starting lineup right away?

At 29 years of age and the money he is going to sign for he better!

 

[MadduxFanII]

Yeah, I was going to bring up the MLB-ready question. There's no way you give a 29-year-old a ton of money and send him to AAA for any meaningful length of time, right?

 

[yeezus]

Yeah, I was going to bring up the MLB-ready question. There's no way you give a 29-year-old a ton of money and send him to AAA for any meaningful length of time, right?

He's supposed to be MLB-ready, and a damn fine hitter. Like, really good.

 

[thethe]

He's supposed to be MLB-ready, and a damn fine hitter. Like, really good.

Yeah, those are the reports. That would be great to now have some protection for Freeman. If he signs then the lineup looks a big better especially if Jace could be a 350-370 OBP guy.

 

[yeezus]

Yeah, those are the reports. That would be great to now have some protection for Freeman. If he signs then the lineup looks a big better especially if Jace could be a 350-370 OBP guy.

It would certainly make me much more optimistic for this coming season. There would still be a lot of questions and holes in the lineup, but Olivera would go a long way.

 

[thethe]

It would certainly make me much more optimistic for this coming season. There would still be a lot of questions and holes in the lineup, but Olivera would go a long way.

And now of course what Minors future holds. But in general the path to contention would be a lot more reasonable for 2016 and forward.

 

[yeezus]

And now of course what Minors future holds. But in general the path to contention would be a lot more reasonable for 2016 and forward.

Ugh, yeah, Minor. A healthy, good season that he's capable of would also go a long way. Going to need Teheran or Wood to step up and be close to a legit ace.

 

[Julio3000]

The near-future lineup looks a lot better with Oilvera and a high-side Jace Peterson in it.

Don't know what we'd do with CJ.

 

[Braves1976]

The near-future lineup looks a lot better with Oilvera and a high-side Jace Peterson in it.

Don't know what we'd do with CJ.

Agreed. Hopefully we can get it done soon without the Dodgers or someone else jumping in to outbid us.

 

[Braves1976]

He's supposed to be MLB-ready, and a damn fine hitter. Like, really good.

He really impressed me a few years ago in the WBC. That's a big reason I've been wanting to sign him more than some other Cuban players.

 

[Braves1976]

I see more uninformed Braves are giving Badler a hard time on twitter due to concern about Olivera blocking Peraza if we signed him.