Hector Olivera signs with the Dodgers
- Thread starter rico43
- Start date
So it all comes down to this guy, Al Cones?
Does he play a mean CF?
No. He ate himself out of the league. His defensive War took a nosedive.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Meh that's ok the Braves don't care about defense anymore.
bravebonebook
Spring Training Invitee
Fixed it for you to match most of the rest of the board statements.
dak
Well-known member
@JesseSanchezMLB
Second baseman Hector Olivera (Cuba) worked out for SD, SEA, SF, NYY & ATL. Open showcases set for Fri & Wed in DR. He's not a free agent.
@JesseSanchezMLB
Sources tell me Cuban INF Hector Olivera petitioned MLB for free agency two weeks ago & it has not been granted yet. He's waiting ...
Second baseman Hector Olivera (Cuba) worked out for SD, SEA, SF, NYY & ATL. Open showcases set for Fri & Wed in DR. He's not a free agent.
@JesseSanchezMLB
Sources tell me Cuban INF Hector Olivera petitioned MLB for free agency two weeks ago & it has not been granted yet. He's waiting ...
tomahawkchop10
Gwinnett Bound
You don't have to be a bitter heyward fan to doubt Hart really has a master plan. I can't stand how bitter some were/are about the Heyward trade, but I also don't really like Hart and don't see how he plans on the team scoring runs anytime remotely soon. I'd love us to sign Moncada, but I'd be absolutely shocked.
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
Didnt know Hart was done and we wont ever add hitting.
We wont ever trade some of these pitchers for hitters, or sign one in FA, etc.
You are right to be concerned about the offense this year. It's going to be bad.
But moving forward we are projetted to get a hugh upgrade at second base and I believe that the underperformed from last year (CJ/TRON/BJ/CB) will have small incremental improvements under a hitting coach that by all accounts knows what he is dojng. What we had the last few years in Walker and Fletcher was a disaster. So for 2015 we aren't going to be good but I think there is going to be a manageable offense coupled with top pitching in 2016. Then if Jace or Ruiz or even Albies is ready by 2017 then you really have something moving forward.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
BJ was much improved last year from the year before.
How much more can he improve without being old BJ, which I think we all agree doesn't exist anymore. Aside from adding more power, I don't see too much more space for improvement, marginal improvement.
The real issue is we don't have anything moving forward. Our farm system is totally empty of talent aside from soft hitting great fielding SS, which we already have one of them.
How much more can he improve without being old BJ, which I think we all agree doesn't exist anymore. Aside from adding more power, I don't see too much more space for improvement, marginal improvement.
The real issue is we don't have anything moving forward. Our farm system is totally empty of talent aside from soft hitting great fielding SS, which we already have one of them.
I'm fine with Peraza if he gets on base at a 33-35% clip in the majors. Don't care one bit if he only hits 2 homers a year.
Albies could potentially be a guy that gets on base at a 35-38% clip.
With those two guys speed they would be tremendous offensive weapons. This team doesn't need 30+ home run hitters. We have a 20-30 guy in Freeman and I believe that over the course of the next 3 years another 20-30 guy will either be produced by the farm or acquired with the surplus of pitching.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Update on Hector Olivera sweepstakes via MLBTR:
"Hector Olivera was extremely impressive in a game setting at his second open showcase today, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America. The right-handed hitting, 29-year-old second baseman ripped a pair of home runs and also hit a double to the opposite field gap. Olivera split his time between second base and third base and also showed an above-average time in the 60-yard dash (6.65 seconds) prior to the game. The Dodgers had the most notable presence in attendance, per Badler, with VP of baseball operations Josh Byrnes among those in attendance. The D-Backs had their own VP of baseball operations, De Jon Watson, in attendance, and the Giants were well-represented, too. According to Badler, the Padres, Giants and Braves have all had their top scouts watching Olivera recently, and he’s also been seen by Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik and president Kevin Mather. (Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times tweeted last night, however, not to read too much into the Mariners’ presence at a workout; they were in the Dominican for organizational meetings at the time already.)"
My comments: We really need to sign him but I am not confident that we'll get it done despite our obvious interest. I agree with what Badler says here: "Everyone’s excited about Yoan Moncada. I am too. He deserves the hype. But if the medical checks out, Hector Olivera could be a force."
"Hector Olivera was extremely impressive in a game setting at his second open showcase today, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America. The right-handed hitting, 29-year-old second baseman ripped a pair of home runs and also hit a double to the opposite field gap. Olivera split his time between second base and third base and also showed an above-average time in the 60-yard dash (6.65 seconds) prior to the game. The Dodgers had the most notable presence in attendance, per Badler, with VP of baseball operations Josh Byrnes among those in attendance. The D-Backs had their own VP of baseball operations, De Jon Watson, in attendance, and the Giants were well-represented, too. According to Badler, the Padres, Giants and Braves have all had their top scouts watching Olivera recently, and he’s also been seen by Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik and president Kevin Mather. (Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times tweeted last night, however, not to read too much into the Mariners’ presence at a workout; they were in the Dominican for organizational meetings at the time already.)"
My comments: We really need to sign him but I am not confident that we'll get it done despite our obvious interest. I agree with what Badler says here: "Everyone’s excited about Yoan Moncada. I am too. He deserves the hype. But if the medical checks out, Hector Olivera could be a force."
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
Let's pretend that your best case scenario for Peraza and Albies happens. Just pretend that it does. And they're say .300/.350/.400 hitters. That's 2 solid hitters, and one great hitter. That's it. We still have nothing else along the way in the OF, Albies would be playing 3B I presume and we're taking up an offensive position with a defensive player.
I appreciate the optimism, but right now there's not too much to be optimistic about. Hopefully we have a great draft make a few great trades, adn maybe do a Sydney Ponson and bring Heyward back.
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
One thing that worries me about him is he's already 29, kinda old somewhat.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
He is also not likely to get more than 4-5 years in a deal due to his age, so his being almost 30 isn't really a concern to me. It actually should help us and other teams get him cheaper and for less years. My preference would be a 4 year deal with a team option for a 5th. Depending on the AAV that should be a good deal. He is expected to get somewhere between 20-40 million total. If so I could see him being a bargain for whichever team that lands him.
We still have a guy like Ruiz that even if it all doesn't work out could be an averagish type of hitter. It's not a necessity to hAve a good hitter at every position. It's more important to not have auto outs at three of them though.
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
Yeah, I think his age (and possible injury questions) are what keep us in the game for him.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
Rio Ruiz is another one of those doesn't have any power. If he's a .280/.350/.400 hitter at 3B, that's not good.
It's about being a good team. If we have solid hitters at every position that's great, but that doesn't exist. Especially since Bethancourt could easily be the worst offensive catcher in baseball. If we're average at SS, 2B, and CF, above average at 1B and below average everywhere else, that's not good. If we have 1 player who's a 110+ wRC+ that's terrible.
We will see what a "Solid" hitter is considered in a couple of years.
CB still has plenty of time to develop. We just need ot make sure he isn't an auto out.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
We have a clue what a good hitter is.
wOBA the last 5 seasons.
2014 - .310
2013 - .314
2012 - .315
2011 - .316
2010 - .321
So barring a massive collapse. Average is right around .315.
Really, you are not seeing a trend in those numbers? Lets wait and see where baseball is in a few years. Maybe they find a way to pump offense back up again but as of right now its clear what is happening. Its becoming more of a league that is centered around great pitching and contact hitters.