The Dodgers, Padres, Braves and Marlins have all been chasing Cuban free agent Hector Olivera, but until this point there were still many questions to be answered in all of these negotiations. The Dodgers just might have answered them for everyone, as they have reportedly offered Olivera a $77 million contract, according to the Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer, besting those of the other three clubs.
Dodgers reportedly offer Hector Olivera $77 million contract
It’s the largest offer Olivera has received, but the difference might not be as significant as it sounds.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Spencer stated that the Padres offered $52 million, the Braves $44 million and the Marlins $53 million, though, the Fish pulled out when they got wind of the Dodgers’ figure. The differences might not be as large as they seem, though, thanks to those questions alluded to above.
Olivera, who plays second and third base, was reportedly weighing a mix of four- and six-year offers -- the Dodgers’ $77 million is very likely a six-year offer, with an average annual value of $12.8 million. So, around $13 million annually, or what the Padres and essentially the Marlins offered Olivera if they were thinking four years with their own.
Now, all of the deals likely feature the standard six years of control unless they are specifically negotiated otherwise, but the Dodgers would have the payment mapped out for all six years of the deal. The Padres and Marlins would have four years, then the two sides would renegotiate through arbitration, which might even net Olivera more money overall than the $77 million the Dodgers are offering, depending on how he plays up to that point.
So the decision isn’t just about who offers the most, but if Olivera is willing to bet that he can produce enough to earn more than what the difference between the Padres and Dodgers are offering.
Of course, a preference for the Dodgers, Padres or Braves could play into things as well, but just in monetary terms, this is how things stand for Olivera. He could play right away for any of these three clubs with a little roster shuffling -- Juan Uribe in Los Angeles, Will Middlebrooks or Jedd Gyorko in San Diego -- so it’s going to come down to what Olivera thinks he could make in 2019 and 2020. It’s worth remembering that, for all his skill, the infielder has dealt with health problems over the years, so guaranteed dollars might very well win the day.
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