No player better displays money spent for no performance than Hector Olivera. You might consider him as a “Poster Boy” for Dead Money.

The Dodgers recognized the great potential in this Cuban defector in 2015. They signed him to a six year $62.5 million contract which included a $28 million signing bonus even though he was 30 years old at the time.

In July 2015, the Dodgers traded him to the Atlanta Braves before he ever played a game for the Dodgers but they had to retain most of his salary as the Braves only paid him $500,000. He was called up to the majors in September 2015. He played in 24 games. His average was .253 with 2 Home Runs and 11 RBIs.

In April 2016 he was arrested for domestic abuse. This was followed by an 82 game suspension. In July 2016 he was traded to the Padres who released him in August. He did play in 6 games for the Braves in 2016 batting .211 with no Home Runs and 2 RBIs.

He never played in the Major Leagues again. However he received the following payments for not playing

2019 – Padres $7.5 million
2018 – Dodgers $4.7 million
2017 – Padres $6 million
Dodgers $7.5 million
2016 – Dodgers $4.7 million
2015 – Dodgers $28 million

Lifetime Major League Stats:
30 Games
.245 Batting Average
2 Home Run
13 RBIs
$62,500,000

Swing Badder Logo