A's continue to keep tabs on Cuban infielder Olivera
Club was among those present for potential free agent's final showcase
OAKLAND -- The A's continue to keep eyes on Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, who held his final open workout in front of several Major League scouts and front-office executives in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.
A's assistant general manager Dan Kantrovitz, who has extensive background in international scouting, was on hand for the event, where the A's were joined by the Dodgers, Giants and Padres among teams with a "notable presence" watching Olivera, according to Baseball America.
The 29-year-old Cuban infielder didn't disappoint, finishing the day 3-for-3 with two doubles and a single. He also walked and made all of the routine plays at third base, according to the Baseball America report, which noted that some clubs are looking at him as a third baseman, even though he was primarily a second baseman in Cuba.
Were the A's to land the 6-foot-2 Olivera, it's assumed he would play second base in Oakland, with Ben Zobrist moving to the outfield. Zobrist's flexibility between positions is significant, since there's still uncertainty surrounding Olivera's ability to play the field every day. He appeared in just 29 games at second base during his final season (2013-14) in Cuba, spending most of the 90-game season at designated hitter.
There's no doubt the new-look A's lineup could benefit from another big bat, though, and Olivera is projected as an above-average player who could hit at the top or in the middle of a lineup as soon as he signs, which is expected to happen soon after he officially becomes a free agent.
As a potential free agent, Olivera is not subject to international spending limits, so unlike highly touted Cuban shortstop Yoan Moncada, he comes without a luxury tax, making him a likelier choice for the A's. Still, they're expected to be among stiff competition.