The Dodgers opened up their collective wallets and came away the winners of the Hector Olivera sweepstakes. The Cuban infielder has reportedly agreed to a six year deal with the Dodgers that will pay him $62. 5 million dollars, including $28 million in guaranteed money.
Source: Cuban INF Hector Olivera has agreed to a 6-year, $62.5 million deal with Dodgers. $28MM signing bonus. Check http://t.co/mkcBse7p5i
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) March 24, 2015
That’s a ton of cash for a guy who reportedly could require Tommy John surgery to repair a slight tear in his UCL, but the Dodgers covered themselves for an optional seventh year that would only cost them one million bucks.
Source: A recent MRI on Olivera's elbow showed slight tear in UCL. Led to clause that gives Dodgers a seventh season at $1M if he needs TJ.
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) March 25, 2015
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports had this to say about Olivera potentially needing to go under the knife for TJ surgery:
Serious concern exists that Cuban infielder Hector Olivera has a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm, potentially hindering the market for a free agent who many expected to contribute in the major leagues this season, sources told Yahoo Sports.
No signs of potential arm trouble surfaced during his tryouts, when Olivera showed an average arm from second base and third base.
Previously, Olivera’s left arm was the bigger question. He reportedly suffered a blood clot in his left biceps, an issue that limited him to DH duties most of his final season in Cuba before he defected in September.
The idea of their newly acquired investment having to possibly undergo major surgery has to make Dodgers fans a bit nervous. Cross your fingers and hope that major surgery isn’t required to fix the issue.