MLB: Does Hector Olivera Deserve a Second Chance?
By Kit Anderson
Between off-field legal troubles, a suspension, being traded, and then DFA’d, Hector Olivera has had an awful year. Does he have a future in MLB?
It is amazing how much can change in MLB in such a short time. Just a few months ago Hector Olivera was one of the most sought-after free agents in all of the league. After signing a multi-million dollar deal with the Dodgers he was the centerpiece in a blockbuster deal involving the Dodgers, Braves, and Marlins.
The Braves had high expectations for Olivera. They expected him to be their third baseman of not only this season, but of the future. After under-impressing in a Braves uniform, Hector Olivera hit bottom. He was arrested in Arlington, Virginia for getting into an altercation with a woman outside his hotel. Olivera was charged with one count misdemeanor assault and battery after his arrest for allegedly assaulting the woman at the hotel.
After reviewing the information, Hector Olivera was suspended without pay for violating MLB’s policy against domestic violence. The suspension was effective from April 13th to August 1st. Shortly after being suspended, the Braves tried every avenue to trade the troubled Cuban star. They received little interest and shocked many general managers simply by asking.
The Braves front office did not give up easily, though, as they finally found a way to distance themselves from Olivera by dealing him to the Padres for Matt Kemp. Kemp’s huge contract made the Padres willing to work out a deal to rid themselves of it – including dealing for Hector Olivera. Shortly after dealing for Olivera, the Padres designated him for assignment and plan to eat the rest of the salary owed to Olivera.
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While a second chance will obviously not come from the Braves or the Padres, it is a fair question to ask if Olivera deserves one at all?
Before that question can be fully answered Olivera will have to answer to the justice system for his mistakes. Whatever the consequences of his actions are, he will have to pay them. Once he has fulfilled said consequences, does he deserve a second chance?
Life is full of mistakes and human error. Olivera’s mistake was one that is not excusable and one that he will have to answer for. Once he has done that and shown proper remorse for his actions there is no reason that Hector Olivera should not receive a second chance. Granted he will have to prove himself both on and off the field in the minor leagues should he get a second chance.
Not to say that he has earned or deserves a second chance, rather that one should be given to him. Many athletes have made similar mistakes whether it be with drugs, domestic violence, or other less than legal activities. Not all come back from it. Those who do often come back stronger and more determined than they were before.
Hector Olivera may not deserve a second chance but I hope to see him receive one. Life is made up of mistakes (some more serious than others) and second chances to help make up for those mistakes. Olivera can never change what he did, but if given opportunity he can provide an example of how to come back from it. Olivera may not have played his last inning in a major league uniform just yet.