The Atlanta Braves reportedly are trying to unload outfielder Hector Olivera.
Two sources tell Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports the Braves have tried to trade Olivera since his arrest on charges he allegedly assaulted a woman in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.
Finding Olivera another team is something else entirely. One executive whom the Braves queried told Passan: “I can’t believe they even asked.”
Olivera, who is on paid administrative leave, has just 98 career at-bats and is signed through 2020 for $34.5 million. Passan notes the Cincinnati Reds were able to trade star closer Aroldis Chapman to the New York Yankees after he was linked to an alleged domestic violence incident. Chapman was cleared of legal issues, but drew a 30-game suspension from Major League Baseball.
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.
