(1) Is that not what I said? "The prevailing sentiment is that he SHOULD be able to handle a move to 3B or LF, and while most see little reason to doubt that, I think they'd also like to SEE it instead of guess he won't have issues".
(2) Since you're calling for less speculation, is it that much to ask for you to provide a link to back up your "facts"? There are actually more questions about how good he'll be at 2B...
"Some scouts think he’s a solid defender at second who can make the routine plays, though he doesn’t have the range of a typical smaller, quick-foot second baseman."
“He’s a big leaguer, he can rake, I’m just not sure it’s a given he can just slide in at second base. I didn’t see the agility for second base, I didn’t see that quickness. Playing up the middle in the big leagues isn’t easy. He’s got plenty of arm strength, but he’s not Cano, that’s not what you’re getting there.”
http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/hector-olivera-scouting-report/
"Olivera is exempt from the international bonus pools and compares favorably to the two top recent Cuban signings who received major league contracts, Tomas and Castillo. Olivera is much more polished than Tomas, with less power but a swing more conducive to hitting for average, with superior pitch recognition and plate discipline, although less power. He has a better track record of hitting and more useable game power than Castillo, although less speed, athleticism and defensive value."
(3) If your memory was $17 million off about the amount Moncada signed for, is it unfair to ask you to provide a link to show that you might not be confused about something you say you read 3 months ago? Brian Williams "remembered" the helicopter he was flying in when he was covering the war for NBC got fired at.
The point remains - there's little question that he'd definitely help us, just don't be disappointed if there are holes in his game. This is the entire reason the Braves don't seem to be willing to give him anything close to $50 million. They're still trying to dig out from under the $75 million they gave Melvin and the $52 million they gave Uggla - two other players that had holes but who also had a track record of success against significantly better competition than Olivera has faced thus far. Many here hated the Callaspo signing because the professionals' opinions about his ability to play defense at 2B are exactly the same as they are about Olivera (and always were about Uggla for that matter). If those are valid, you wind up paying both of them PLUS Johnson when all 3 need to be at 3B.
