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Do the Atlanta Braves Want to Trade Olivera? Here’s one Idea that Could Work

By Alan Carpenter

Sep 29, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Hector Olivera (28) walks off of the field with Atlanta Braves assistant athletic trainer Jim Lovell after Olivera was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning of their game against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Hector Olivera (28) walks off of the field with Atlanta Braves assistant athletic trainer Jim Lovell after Olivera was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning of their game against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun rounds the bases after hitting his second two run home run of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun rounds the bases after hitting his second two run home run of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Apr 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun rounds the bases after hitting his second two run home run of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

So Who Do We Have in Mind?

Remember the premise:  make the bait be more attractive to your trade partner.  In this scenario, that bait involves something close to $100 million for a rebuilding team that’s been having trouble getting traction… in part because of that money hanging over them.

The Braves should inquire with Milwaukee about Ryan Braun.

Recall that we found out Atlanta had feelers out about 2 bigger hitters during the off-season.  One was Yoenis Cespedes, the other was Justin Upton.  In the latter case, the Braves were said to be willing to consider a six year deal.

That’s actually not incompatible with a Braun deal at all.  Let’s see how that might work.

Braun’s Contract

Ryan Braun actually, finally started the first year of his 5-year extension this month.  That deal guarantees him $100 million through 2020, assuming the inevitable $4 million buyout at the end:  a check he’d get just before turning 37.  The numbers are $20 million for 2016-18, then $19m and $17m for 2019-20.

That sounds like a lot, and it is.  But Atlanta is already committed to pay Olivera $4m this season, $6m, $6.5m, $7.5m, and $8.5m through 2020.  What if they didn’t have to pay that $32.5 million, but instead added a net of $67.5 million for Braun?

Furthermore, Milwaukee would like the idea of getting out from under their own $100 million obligation.  And face it:  neither player exactly looks like a model citizen after their “incidents”.  But this could give the Brew Crew a chance to perhaps outright cut Olivera if they so chose – and still save a pile of money in the long run.

Next: Getting to the Specifics

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