Dodgers Bust Hector Olivera to Sign with Sugar Land Skeeters
By David Hill
Hector Olivera had been a highly desired international free agent when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Just two years later, he is set to sign with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League.
Back in 2015, Hector Olivera was a highly sought after international prospect. One of the top infielders in the Cuban League, Olivera, despite being 30 years old when he was declared a free agent, drew a great deal of attention. He was eventually signed by the Dodgers, inking a six year, $62.5 Million contract.
That was about the high point of Olivera’s career. The Dodgers had almost instant buyer’s remorse, and sent him to the Atlanta Braves. He would appear in a total of 30 games with the Braves, producing a .245/.296/.378 batting line. He had two homers and 13 RBI, hardly the production that either the Dodgers or the Braves would have hoped for.
His career essentially came to an end early last year. He was arrested for domestic assault, and eventually sentenced to a ninety day prison term. He was released after ten days, and suspended until August 1 by Major League Baseball. When his suspension was close to ending, The Braves sent Olivera to the Padres in exchange for Matt Kemp. San Diego then released Olivera, putting an end to his time in the majors.
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That point was hammered home this offseason. Although the Dodgers are still paying the majority of his salary, and Olivera was available for nothing, he was not on the free agency radar. Now, Olivera is attempting to find his way back to the majors, signing with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League.
The hope for Olivera is that he will be able to prove that he is far more than one of the greatest busts in recent history. If he is able to perform well for the Skeeters, and stay out of trouble, the hope is that he will get another look at the majors. After all, he just needs one team to take that chance.
The problem is, Olivera has not exactly done anything to lead a team to think he is worth the gamble. Even his minor league numbers had been mediocre since signing, as he posted a .257/.313/.365 batting line with just 11 extra base hits in 47 games. Unless he can tap into the form he showed in Cuba, which seems more and more unlikely as the years pass, Olivera may struggle to find an interested team.
Even if he does recapture that form, there is the public relations nightmare that will follow. Olivera was actually convicted of domestic assault, leaving the Braves and Padres eager to rid themselves of his presence. Bringing Olivera in, even if he annihilates the Atlantic League, may be far more trouble than he would be worth.
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Hector Olivera is trying for another chance in the majors, signing with the Sugar Land Skeeters to rebuild his stock. However, that time has already passed, with his lack of production and actions having ended his career before it began.