Yanks interested in Cuban 2B Hector Olivera

[moocow007]

Apparently the Yankees are interested in possibly signing another Cuban player aside from the 2 Yoan's (Moncada and Lopez). The player is Hector Olivera, one of Cuba's top players and who plays 2B.

Another option has developed for teams to consider in Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, and as Ben Badler of Baseball America has reported on Tuesday night, the Yankees are one of several teams interested in the 29-year-old.

"The Yankees re-signed Chase Headley this month to a four-year, $52 million contract, so they’re set at third base. Yet they also have a hole at second base after shipping Martin Prado to the Marlins. The long-term solution could be Moncada, with the Yankees looking like a favorite there having already gone over their 2014-15 bonus pool, owning the deepest pockets in the game and lacking young, impact talent at the upper levels of the system. There’s no guarantee that Moncada will be a Yankee though, and even if he is, he’s not going to help in 2015, and maybe not in 2016 either. The Yankees could go with Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela at second base, but Olivera would be an upgrade over either player. Yankees international scouting director Donny Rowland has been around long enough to have seen Olivera in his prime, the Yankees haven’t spent much money this offseason and they are certainly a team that’s shown comfort giving big contracts to players in their 30s. If the Yankees want Olivera, he would be a good fit in New York."

Olivera has dealt with some injuries over the last couple of seasons, plus some residency issues, but he defected from Cuba in September and is awaiting clearance from the United States government before he can sign anywhere legally.

In his last full season in 2012, he hit .341 with 17 home runs and 42 RBI and had 44 walks with just 22 strikeouts and a .468 on base percentage and as Badler mentioned, Olivera right now would be an upgrade over both Pirela and Refsnyder at second base.

[moocow007]

Here's a little scouting blurb on Olivera...

At around 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Olivera is a physical righthanded hitter with a loose, quick swing and a good hitting approach. He showed good power for a middle infielder, and given that several Cuban players have transformed their bodies and increased their power since leaving the island, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Olivera did the same. His size, athleticism and plus speed (at least at his peak) made him one of the most well-rounded players in Cuba.

[Dr. Detfink]

Sounds fine. Basically Cashman is looking to get younger, athletic, better defensive infield till those bad contracts (A-Rod, CC, Tex) drop off...and then add power to these contact hitters. In theory...but Cash almost always gets taken in most deals, so you'll pardon me if I remain skeptical.

[Pharmcat]

yanks always interested in cubans, but never sign them

its a failure that cost this team talent and wins at a reasonable cost

[GnarlesOakley]

yanks always interested in cubans, but never sign them

its a failure that cost this team talent and wins at a reasonable cost

Maybe if there was more Cuban middle relievers out there then Cashman would make the leap.

[thebuzzardman]

Oh well, Yanks signed the mighty Stephen Drew, no need for some talented Cuban guy.

[moocow007]

Oh well, Yanks signed the mighty Stephen Drew, no need for some talented Cuban guy.

Apparently.

[Pharmcat]

Oh well, Yanks signed the mighty Stephen Drew, no need for some talented Cuban guy.

[moocow007]

Here's a look at Olivera

http://vimeo.com/117914828

[thebuzzardman]

I can't see the yankees as in the mix for him after signing Drew, especially after they got Gigi for SS.

[Yankeeknickfan]

I can't see the yankees as in the mix for him after signing Drew, especially after they got Gigi for SS.

Gigi will only be here until he's ready. If Gigi is actually good than we play moncanda in the out field.

[moocow007]

I can't see the yankees as in the mix for him after signing Drew, especially after they got Gigi for SS.

Gigi will only be here until he's ready. If Gigi is actually good than we play moncanda in the out field.

Or 2B...or we can trade Gregorious.

[Dr. Detfink]

A lot of these guys rarely stay at the position they're drafted/signed at. Gregorious is a stop gap. He's NOT going to be an every day player in 2-3 seasons from now.

[thebuzzardman]

Gregorious may or may not be a stop gap, but I get that they got him possibly to keep the seat warm for Moncada (if they Yanks can sign him) as at 19, Moncada is probably at least 1 season away, if not 2 or 3.

Lahoud Yankees blog made a good point on players such as Drew - both the Yanks and other teams have let young players take the spot of players making 5 million or so per year who were on two years or less contracts. The point being teams don't love to do it but don't see contracts of that size as being the ones that are "well, we have to go with this guy because of the $". The reason I don't think the Yanks go for this Cuban kid is the following: He's 29, so he's a sign to play right now player. That's spending MORE money at 2B, a position it's been indicated the Yanks think they have some players on the rise at, Rob Refsnyder, Jose Pirela.


I can see (and really really hope) the Yanks will spend $$$ on Moncada, just seems if they would pass on a 2B Cuban player.

I could be wrong of course, maybe they rate Olivera higher thn Refsynder and Pirela and would deal them for pitching or outfield players/prospects.

[Yankeeknickfan]

I can't see the yankees as in the mix for him after signing Drew, especially after they got Gigi for SS.

Gigi will only be here until he's ready. If Gigi is actually good than we play moncanda in the out field.

Or 2B...or we can trade Gregorious.

2b is redesfyer

[moocow007]

Peter Gammons has tweeted that there are roughly 5 teams that are willing to go $70+ million to sign Hector Olivera. Olivera's workouts must have been real good. Olivera is about as physically imposing as any infielder can be and he was an elite player at one point.

[Pharmcat]

Peter Gammons has tweeted that there are roughly 5 teams that are willing to go $70+ million to sign Hector Olivera. Olivera's workouts must have been real good. Olivera is about as physically imposing as any infielder can be and he was an elite player at one point.

wake up cashman come on

[moocow007]

Peter Gammons has tweeted that there are roughly 5 teams that are willing to go $70+ million to sign Hector Olivera. Olivera's workouts must have been real good. Olivera is about as physically imposing as any infielder can be and he was an elite player at one point.

wake up cashman come on

If the Yanks aren't willing to go $30 million for Moncada I doubt they'd be willing to go $70 million for Olivera. But hey, at least we have JD Drew.

[Pharmcat]

Peter Gammons has tweeted that there are roughly 5 teams that are willing to go $70+ million to sign Hector Olivera. Olivera's workouts must have been real good. Olivera is about as physically imposing as any infielder can be and he was an elite player at one point.

wake up cashman come on

If the Yanks aren't willing to go $30 million for Moncada I doubt they'd be willing to go $70 million for Olivera. But hey, at least we have JD Drew.

the yankees are done for...they dont spent the money, they dont have the expertise in the farm...teams like LAD BOS CHI etc have passed them by

Cashman needs to be fired
Hal needs to sell

[thebuzzardman]

IF there was a Cuban they'd sign, it'd be this guy, who seems to have the potential to bust and is on the wrong side of his prime. Sounds like a Cashman guy.