Fansided

Padres News: Padres Miss Out On Olivera, Signs with Dodgers

By Andrew Beccarelli |

Looks like A.J. Preller is 0 for 3 when it comes to signing top international prospects.

After missing out on Yasmany Tomas and Yoan Moncada this off-season, the San Diego Padres set their sights on signing Cuban infielder, Hector Olivera.

After waiting for weeks on a decision it looks like Olivera has signed with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

I initially was not as into signing Olivera as I was for gettingTomas or Moncada, because of his age and health concerns in his past. However, after seeing how Jed Gyorko has struggled this Spring Training, Olivera was becoming more appealing to me. The Padres, along with the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves were considered the finalists to land the Cuban infielder. We don’t know what the Padres offered Olivera at this time, but as more details emerge we will let you Friar Faithful know.

According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Olivera’s deal with the Dodges is rumored to be for $62.5 million for six years (plus a $28 million signing bonus). That’s about the middle of what was being predicted. Rumors had the price being somewhere between $50-$70 million.

This does create a bit of a dilemma for the Dodgers, who by signing Olivera, have created a bit of a logjam in their infield…but, who cares. That’s their dumb problem now, not ours.

I wonder where the Padres fell short on this one? Was it the price or the number of years in the offer? Was the appeal of going to a larger market club too tempting to resist? It took Olivera a long time to make his decision, so I’m guess the Padres must have had an equally impressive offer as well.

As more details emerge we will pass them onto you guys, but in the meantime, are you guys upset or glad the Padres are missing out on Olivera? Does AJ Preller’s inability to sign international players concern you?

Lets discuss in the comments below. Go Pads!

More from Friars on Base

Home / Padres News