Highly touted Cuban infielder Hector Olivera has reportedly been cleared by Major League Baseball and is now a free agent who can sign with any team, per both Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. and Ben Badler of Baseball America.
Hector Olivera reportedly declared free agent by MLB
Olivera, who turns 30 in April, hit .312/.412/.474 in 73 games for Santiago in La Serie Nacional in Cuba in 2013-2014, and has worked out for teams both privately and in showcases at both second and third base. Olivera could sign with an MLB team as early as Sunday, per Sanchez.
Because Olivera is older than 23 and has at least five years of professional experience (he has played 10 seasons in La Serie Nacional), he is not subject to the international bonus pool limits like his countryman, 19-year-old Yoan Moncada was in signing for a $31.5 million bonus with the Red Sox in February.
Olivera will command a major league contract, and was said to be seeking terms in the range of recent deals for Rusney Castillo with Boston (seven years, $72.5 million) or Yasmany Tomas with the Diamondbacks (six years, $68.5 million).
There is a risk with Olivera however, as he missed the 2012-2013 season with a blood clot in his left arm. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported on Thursday that Olivera might have damaged the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm, something that could retire Tommy John surgery, but Olivera’s agent quickly denied that claim.
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