With less than 48 hours until Monday's nonwaiver trade deadline, the Padres and Braves have agreed on a trade that would send Matt Kemp to Atlanta for infielder-outfielder Hector Olivera, sources familiar with the discussions said Saturday. The deal is pending physical exams.
The exchange of bad contracts will include the Padres sending $10-12 million to help offset Kemp's salary, sources said. The Padres owed the 31-year-old $18 million this season, and Kemp is due $54 million over the next three seasons, with the Dodgers paying an additional $3.5 million annually. Olivera, also 31, is owed $28.5 million over the next four seasons.
The Padres would like to shed some of Kemp's contract while clearing playing time for their younger outfielders, such as prospect Hunter Renfroe.
Olivera is currently serving an 82-game suspension through Monday after being arrested April 13 and charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery. Sources indicated that, if the trade is completed, the Padres likely will designate Olivera for assignment.
The Padres once had significant interest in Olivera, who wound up signing a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the Dodgers in March 2015. Olivera never appeared in a big league game for Los Angeles, however, and he was dealt to the Braves as part of a three-team trade a year ago. The Dodgers absorbed Olivera's $28 million signing bonus and the first year of his salary.
Olivera's stock fell further in Atlanta. He hit .245 with two home runs over parts of two seasons before being suspended earlier this year.
Kemp was scratched from Saturday night's lineup against Cincinnati, while Olivera was scratched from Triple-A Gwinnett's.
