Edward Olivares DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The New York Mets have signed free-agent outfielder Edward Olivares to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring camp. The 28-year-old played the first half of last season for the Pirates before being optioned to Triple-A in July. He hit .263 with 12 home runs in 2023 for the Royals over 107 games, and while he hit .344 with three home runs over the first nine games in 2024, the right-handed hitter was unable to maintain that momentum over the course of the season. For his career, the Venezuelan has shown some better pop against left-handed pitching, with a .440 SLG and .199 ISO against them compared to a .389 SLG and .128 ISO versus righties, so he could fit into a platoon role were he able to make it back to the majors.

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated outfielder Edward Olivares for assignment on Thursday and selected right-hander Ben Heller's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. The club also placed reliever Colin Holderman (wrist) on the 15-day injured list with a right-wrist sprain. Olivares was optioned to Indy in July after hitting .224/.291/.333 with a weak .624 OPS, five home runs and 23 RBI in 55 games in his first year in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have decided to move on after the Venezuelan outfielder slashed .250/.318/.339 with a homer, five RBI and seven stolen bases in 15 games at Indy. Olivares is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed, at which point he'd be free to sign with any MLB team. Since debuting in the big leagues in 2020, he's hit .254/.306/.407 with 29 homers, 96 RBI and 16 steals in 285 games played for the Padres, Royals and Pirates.

The Pittsburgh Pirates activated right-hander Quinn Priester (lat) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Edward Olivares to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. The team also outrighted left-hander Justin Bruihl to Indy after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers. Priester, who has been up and down for the Pirates as a starter in 2024, should make his first start off the IL this weekend in an excellent matchup against the Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old went five innings in his final minor-league rehab start and currently carries a 4.83 ERA in 31 2/3 innings (six starts) in his second year in the majors. Olivares will get the boot back to the farm after Joshua Palacios has emerged as the team's regular in right field of late. Olivares is hitting just .224 (39-for-174) with five home runs and 23 RBI.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Edward Olivares turned in a big game in an 11-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Olivares went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI in the big win over Atlanta. The 28-year-old outfielder is now hitting .250 with five homers, 14 runs, and 16 RBI across 104 at-bats in 2024. He has been swinging a hot bat of late, hitting .348 with a homer and four RBI over his past seven games. Olivares is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues while he is on this hot streak.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Edward Olivares went yard twice in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the visiting Detroit Tigers, belting his first home runs since Opening Day. Olivares first took Tigers right-hander Casey Mize deep to left center in the second inning to tie the game at one run apiece, later tagging lefty Tyler Holton for another big fly to deep left center during the sixth frame for what was thought to be an insurance run before closer David Bednar blew the save. The Pirates acquired the 28-year-old Venezuelan right fielder this past offseason as outfield depth and a bench bat against left-handed pitching, but he's pushing for more playing time courtesy of .321 batting average (9-for-28) and 1.046 OPS with three long balls, seven RBI, and seven runs scored over his first 12 games. Olivares is worth consideration for fantasy managers in NL-only or deep mixed leagues to see if he can carve out a more consistent role in Pittsburgh.