The Atlanta Braves attempted to trade infielder/outfielder Hector Olivera since his arrest for assault and battery earlier this month in Arlington, Virginia, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
One executive whom the Braves asked to complete a deal for Olivera said, "I can't believe they even asked."
Doug Mittler of ESPN said, "As for simply releasing Olivera, that would be a big financial hit for a club that already cut ties this spring with Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn, who will make a combined $29 million this year."
The 31-year-old was taken into custody on April 13, 2016 outside the team hotel in Arlington, Virginia after a woman called 911. The bond was set at $10,000 and Olivera paid and walked out of custody. The woman said that she was assaulted by Olivera. Due to his alleged actions, the Cuban is on administrative paid leave through at least May 3, 2016. The right-handed hitter could face a suspension under the Major League Baseball's new domestic violence rules.
Olivera signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 19, 2015 for $34.5 million through the 2020 season. On July 30, 2015, he was traded as part of a three-team trade by the Dodgers with Zachary Bird (minors) and Paco Rodriguez to the Atlanta Braves. The Braves sent Bronson Arroyo, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson, Jose Peraza and Alex Wood to the Dodgers. The Dodgers sent Victor Araujo (minors), Jeff Brigham (minors) and Kevin Guzman (minors) to the Miami Marlins. The Marlins sent Mat Latos and Mike Morse to the Dodgers. The Marlins sent 2016 competitive balance round A pick to the Braves. Get all that?
The 6-foot-2, 230 pound Cuban from Santiago de Cuba has played just 30 career games at the major league level and has taken 98 at-bats. Across 24 games in 2015 and six games in 2016, Oliver has hit .245/.269/.378 with five doubles, a triple, two home runs, 13 RBI and six walks. He has hit .211 with a double, two RBI and one walk during 2016 alone.
If the Braves can not deal away Olivera, he will eventually rejoin Kelly Johnson, Mallex Smith, Nick Markakis, Drew Stubbs and Jeff Francoeur in the outfield. However, it could be awhile until Oliver steps back on a baseball field due to a possible punishment for the alleged actions.