3/3/2017: Reno, NV – Yesterday, the Reno Zephyrs announced the signing of International free agent pitcher Octávio Rivera out of the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal.  Rivera won the 2016 Serie de Dominicana Final with the Bani Depredadores del Peravaria.  In nine seasons, Rivera has an impressive 2.61 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 2.6/1 K/BB ratio. Reno signed the twenty-nine-year-old left-handed Dominican hurler to a five-year, $80,000,000 contract.

“Ownership went the extra mile on this one,” Reno General Manager Scott Maynor said on a conference call late Thursday.  “Our organization has made a strong commitment to winning and we are not afraid to make bold moves to finally put a winning team on the field for Reno fans.”

The Reno scouting department did their due diligence on Rivera and have logged their share of frequent flyer miles jetting to the Dominican Republic in order to see the 6’3”, 207 lb. lefty pitch.

“Our organization has scouted Mr. Rivera for the last several years and have been very impressed with his abilities and accomplishments.  We believe he will be a great addition to the Reno rotation,” Maynor said.  “We look forward to seeing him pitch in blue and grey.”

Reno has made some bold moves over the last few seasons.  They gambled on another high-priced international free agent, pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade, and signed an injured pitcher to a three-year deal despite his facing a yearlong recovery. 

To quote an unnamed PEBA general manager, “(The Rivera signing is a) bold move.  I like bold moves. Sure, there’s the chance that it will be a crash and burn, but nobody ever got anywhere in this game by playing it safe.”