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But that doesn't mean the M's could get anything of real value in return. The M's signed him as a free agent and so presumably they were the highest bidders. Therefore, not many teams viewed him as being worth $3.5 million in 2012, if any at all. He then had a really poor season last year so his value is likely even lower.
That means that even if the M's paid all of his salary, the best they could get would be a player worth 2 or 3 million dollars. That would either be a veteran bench player who was barely above replacement-level or an extremely fringy prospect (a Triple-A utility guy or reliever). That doesn't get the M's anywhere.
So for the reasons stated, Olivo is worth keeping around. If the M's want someone who is truly useful, they would have to trade someone like Vargas who has quite a bit of surplus value (at least $10 million worth even if the M's don't contribute any money).