Tag Archives: MLB.com

Olivera Agrees to $62.5 Million Deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers

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Hector Olivera is headed to Southern California…

The 29-year-old Cuban infielder has agreed to a six-year contract worth $62.5 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to agent Greg Genske.

Hector Olivera

The deal includes a $28 million signing bonus, says Genske.

The agreement also includes an option for a seventh year, worth $1 million, if Olivera needs Tommy John surgery, an industry source told MLB.com. Olivera has a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow, according to a recent MRI, the source told MLB.com. Yahoo! Sports also recently reported there was concern Olivera had damaged his UCL.

Olivera’s camp denied any UCL injury following the Yahoo! Sports report.

Olivera, who turns 30 next month, drew interest from several other teams, including the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins and New York Yankees.

MLB.com was first to report Olivera’s deal with Los Angeles.

Olivera will join a crowded Dodgers infield that already features second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Olivera likely will have the best chance to play third base, where Juan Uribe is expected to start.

Los Angeles also has Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero, who has been impressive this spring, and highly touted shortstop prospect Corey Seager.

Lopez Agrees to Lucrative Contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks

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Diamond(back)s are Yoan Lopez’s new best friends…

The 21-year-old Cuban professional baseball pitcher and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a contract that includes an $8.27 million signing bonus, according to multiple reports.

Yoan Lopez

A hard-throwing right-hander, Lopez is expected to begin his Diamondbacks career in the minor leagues.

The Associated Press and MLB.com both reported that the $8.27 million bonus is the largest for a young player who resides outside the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and subject to a team’s international signing pool under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement.

Lopez counts toward a club’s signing pool because he is under 23 and has played professionally less than five years in a Cuban professional league.

Because Arizona would exceed its pool of $2,316,600 by 15 percent or more for the one-year period ending July 1, the Diamondbacks would incur a 100 percent tax on the overage and be barred for the next two signing periods from adding an international player subject to the pool with a bonus over $300,000.

The Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels already have gone over their pools by 15 percent or more.

The Angels and 20-year-old Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin finalized an agreement on January 6 for an $8 million signing bonus.

Arizona agreed in December to a $68.5 million, six-year contact with 24-year-old Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas.

Hernández Agrees to Lucrative Seven-Year Extenstion with the Mariners

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Félix Hernández is officially the highest-paid pitcher in Major League history.

The 26-year-old Venezuelan right-handed starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners has signed a seven-year contract extension with the team.

Felix Hernandez

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik announced the deal with Hernández at the news conference at Safeco Field. A source confirmed to MLB.com that the basic agreement is for seven years and $175 million, with some new language written in that would protect the Mariners if Hernandez misses a season with elbow problems.

Hernández has two years and $40.5 million remaining on his existing contract, but the final two years will reportedly be replaced by the new deal, which will now extend through 2019.

“I think it’s a great thing for the Seattle Mariners and it’s a great thing for Felix Hernandez. We’re looking forward to this guy being here for a long time, obviously,” said Zduriencik.

CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees currently has the largest overall contract for a pitcher, with a seven-year, $161 million deal he signed before the 2010 season. Zack Greinke signed the highest average-annual-value deal at $24.5 million with his six-year, $147 million contract in December with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hernandez has been with the Mariners his entire Major League career and won the American League Cy Young Award in 2010. He pitched a perfect game last season while going 13-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 33 starts.

The three-time All-Star has pitched 200 or more innings in each of the past five seasons and has a career record of 98-76 with a 3.22 ERA.