MLB: Hector Olivera to Serve Jail Time for Assault
By Kit Anderson
Former Braves third baseman and outfielder Hector Olivera will serve 10 days in jail for his assault charge, further clouding his chances of returning to MLB.
Hector Olivera‘s baseball career has taken a very sudden downturn this year. He was thought to be a player of the future with the Atlanta Braves. That all changed this spring. This past April, Olivera was arrested outside the team hotel. He was accused by a women (later identified to be his girlfriend) for assaulting her repeatedly.
That was the beginning of the end for Olivera in baseball. The Braves desperately tried to rid themselves of him, eventually making a swap for with the Padres. The Braves sent Hector Olivera to the Padres in exchange for Matt Kemp.
For the Padres it was a chance to rid themselves of a regrettable contract in exchange for a cheaper one. They had no intention of keeping Olivera, however, as he was promptly sent packing and on his way. The Braves’ side of the deal has looked to be a good one so far as Kemp has done well in Atlanta and they were able to move on from the drama Olivera provided.
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Olivera was thought to be a building block for whichever team he landed with two offseasons ago and was one of the more sought after players in free agency. Now it is fair to wonder if he will ever play another inning of professional baseball.
Olivera was recently convicted of assault and has been sentenced to spend 10 days in jail, though he could have spent up to 90 for his crime. Along with the punishment from the legal system, MLB acted on its domestic violence policy and promptly suspended Olivera for 82 games.
Once Hector Olivera has served out both of his sentences he will be free to sign with any team in the league. The problem for him will be, is any team willing to touch him? Jose Reyes went through much the same thing earlier this season and eventually had a reunion with the Mets that has re-started his career. The difference is that Reyes is a proven major league player that had shown remorse and was worth the risk.
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Olivera has been mostly silent about his actions and doesn’t have a track record to make signing him worth it to most major league teams. That is not to say he will not receive an opportunity sometime in the future. Despite his mistakes, second chances are part of life and Olivera’s talent may get him one.