The Morning Chop – Olivera, Spring Movers, Dead Birds
Hector Olivera. AP Photo, uncredited (http://www.csnbayarea.com/athletics/might-look-cuba-find-second-baseman)
Braves Meet With Olivera’s Agent
The Braves are expected to meet with Olivera’s new agent, the Legacy Agency’s Greg Genske, in Orlando today, reports MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez (on Twitter). The Braves are “still in the mix” for Olivera, per Sanchez, although previous reports indicated that the team’s comfort zone was more in the $30-40MM range than in the $50MM range that Olivera is expected to land.
[ Ed. note: To this point, there are zero reports about (a) additional meetings with the Braves; (b) additional meetings with other clubs. Either way, this has to be taken as continued, serious news that the Braves are truly making a play for Olivera… this time with his new representatives.
My further attempts at deciphering these fragments of information lead to the thought that the notion that the Dodgers offered $77 million is pure fallacy. If that was so, then they would be holding a press event to announce the deal by now. My suspicion is that the Braves are indeed strongly in the running now, and are likely being asked for a ‘best and final’ offer.
I would expect now if this were to end quickly, then it’s because Atlanta is the winner. If not (i.e., it drags through Monday), then it’s because other teams are getting the same attention that Atlanta received on Friday. Either way, I want him to sign somewhere, for we need new photos of the guy. ]