MLB News: Cuban Prospect Hector Olivera Signs With Los Angeles Dodgers For $62.5M

After drawing interest from several teams in Major League Baseball, or MLB last February, Hector Olivera is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers the league’s official website reported on Tuesday. The deal is worth $62.5 million over 6 years and the infielder will get a signing bonus worth $28 million.

The 30 year old Olivera is considered one of the best hitters in Cuba and is expected to challenge for playing time at third base in the upcoming 2015-2016 MLB Season. Dodgers’ Juan Uribe and Howie Kendrick are also set to become free agents after the new season and Olivera is seen as a long-term prospect should one or both leave the team. Olivera can play multiple infield positions, either the second or third base positions.

"When solving for winning, we have to cast a wide net," L.A. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said in the team’s official website. "We will do as good a job as we can all over the world. When we find a fit -- short or long term -- we will be aggressive.”  

Friedman was at Olivera’s final open workouts last month along with other executives and scouts from different MLB teams and was impressed enough to give him the large contract. In a related story, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com has reported that Olivera’s physical exam revealed a slight there in the ulnar collateral ligament, or UCL in his throwing arm but the injury is not expected to affect his performance on the field.

Among the Dodgers’ rival in signing Olivera were the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins and and New York Yankees. Other teams were interested in acquiring Olivera but were not willing to give him the huge amount of money as the Dodgers offered him. Watch Olivera in action in the video below: