With Braves fans nervously waiting for news regarding their star first basemen Freddie Freeman, Alex Anthopoulos was busy making moves. According to Jeff Passan, the Braves are acquiring Matt Olson from the Athletics in an apparent deal to replace the face of their franchise.
BREAKING: Atlanta and Oakland are in agreement on a trade that will send star first baseman Matt Olson to the Braves, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 14, 2022
The reality is Olson could be an even better fit than Freeman. He’s younger, won’t cost as much over the remainder of his contract, and is coming off a season where he mashed 39 home runs and recorded a 5.8 WAR. It wouldn’t have cost the Braves any prospects to re-sign Freeman, but Anthopoulos didn’t see the cost of prospects being a dealbreaker. Olson is a powerful left handed bat and fantastic in the field, so the Braves hopefully won’t see a huge drop off in production from Freeman.
The Parkview Kid comes home. Matt Olson hit a good chunk of his 39 Home Runs in a notoriously pitcher friendly park, he should be putting craters in the Chop House.
— SportsTalkATL Jake (@cantguardjake) March 14, 2022
It hurts to see a franchise icon like Freddie Freeman go, but Matt Olson has serious 50 home run potential in Atlanta. The prospect cost is a big one, with the Braves sending their 2021 First Round Pick, Stud prospect Shea Langeliers, and defensive star Cristian Pache headlining the deal:
Oakland will receive OF Cristian Pache, C Shea Langeliers, SP Ryan Cusick and SP Joey Estes, sources tell ESPN. Massive haul for Matt Olson, the Braves’ new first baseman.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 14, 2022
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