Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: MLB Executive Calls Sierra Contract ‘Absurd’, per ESPN

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban right-hander Yaisel Sierra. Today, according to Buster Olney at ESPN, several executives weighed in on the signing.

“They are seeing something that we don’t,” said one NL official.



The 24-year old pitcher spent last season as a reliever, but the Dodgers plan to use Sierra as a starting pitcher first, according to Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez).


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Dodgers rumors are that Sierra has a pitching repertoire that features a fastball that sits between 91-94 mph, but has the potential to hit 96 sometimes, as well as a slider and a changeup. The issue with him has been his “poor command and pitchability,” according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.

Those concerns have left another executive fully questioning the contract he received:

Said another: “We didn’t like him and would not have given him a seven-figure bonus” — $1 million — “let alone the absurd contract he got.”

No one knows how the signing will go. The Dodgers have had their share of big splash busts from overseas already – namely Erisbel Arruebarrena – but other teams, like the Chicago White Sox when they signed Jose Abreu, have struck it rich despite disagreeing with a lot of the talent evaluators.

While rival executives might be sour on the deal, the Dodgers certainly weren’t turned off by Sierra’s talent. If what they saw in him comes to fruition, those dissenting executives might be kicking themselves. For updates and more Dodgers news, check back to Dodgers Nation!

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6 Comments

  1. Let’s hope the Dodgers are right…  However, it seems anymore that scouting reports aren’t all they are cracked up to be.  It seems that the “Mike Trout” is the exception.  The superstars seem to mostly come from lower draft rounds.

  2. gregfig Mike Trout was actually the 25th pick in the first round. He’s probably more of an exception considering how amazing he’s become since being drafted. That’s really low for a guy who turned out to be a top 3 MVP candidate every year. 

    Most superstars come from first round. MVP Bryce Harper was #1 pick. Gerrit Cole was a top 5 NL Cy Young candidate this past season. Again, another #1 pick. David Price, who just received a mega deal over $200 million was also #1 pick. Sonny Gray and Jose Fernandez were both first round top 20 picks. Buster Posey (MVP + WS champ) was a former first rounder. Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw were both high first rounders. AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa of the Astros… another #1 overall pick. 

    Historically, Derek Jeter, A-Rod and Ken Griffey Jr. were all first round picks. (two of them being #1 picks) 

    The list goes on and on. First round is where you most likely find your mega superstars. After that, it’s hit or miss for 99% of the picks.

  3. Control is his main issue…seems he has an MLB level fastball and 2 other pitches..

  4. Man this guy had a horrible career in Cuba. Control was just one of them. If he was 19 I could see this signing.

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