Atlanta Braves have been in touch with Oakland A’s on Matt Olson
The Atlanta Braves were (and are still) hoping to re-sign their franchise star, Freddie Freeman, to play first base for them for years to come. But things haven’t developed as most people have anticipated so, apparently, the Braves are starting to pivot to an alternative. The alternative? Oakland A’s first baseman and Atlanta native Matt Olson.
Olson, who turns 28 later this month, would be a great fit to replace Freeman for the Braves but the Braves will have to make a trade with the Oakland A’s for him.
The Atlanta Braves could trade for Oakland A’s first baseman Matt Olson
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com on Twitter, the Atlanta Braves have been in touch with the Oakland A’s and their first baseman Matt Olson to replace Freddie Freeman at first base.
#Braves have been in touch with Oakland about Matt Olson (an Atlanta native) in the event that Freddie Freeman signs elsewhere. Many in the industry expect Freeman to sign before Carlos Correa, among top remaining free agents. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 11, 2022
Olson is from the Atlanta suburb of Lilburn, as he went to Parkview High School in Lilburn, which is about 25 east of Truist Park, the home of the Braves.
In 2021, Olson was excellent for the Oakland A’s so if the Braves can’t re-sign Freeman, Olson would be a great fit. In 2021, he was an All-Star for the first time and, in 156 games, he hit .271/.371/.540 with 39 homers, 111 RBI, 35 doubles, and he had an OPS+ of 153. He also came in eighth in AL MVP voting and had an rWAR of 5.8. For comparison, in 2021, Freddie Freeman’s rWAR was 4.7 and his OPS+ was 133.
Prior to 2021, Olson won two Gold Gloves, received MVP votes in 2019, and had an OPS+ of 127.
Like Freeman, Olson is also a left-handed hitter but he is four years younger than Freeman, which would be a big plus for the Braves. Olson is projected to make around $12 million in arbitration for the 2022 season and he has one more season of arbitration before he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season.
Next. Insider believes that Freeman will be first big free agent to sign. dark
Since Matt Olson has two years remaining before free agency and he is one of the A’s best players, it will take a haul to get him but Oakland has shown a willingness to trade him and they have traded plenty of other players with two or three years left before free agency to maximize their return on him so if the Braves can’t re-sign Freddie Freeman, Matt Olson should be the guy that they turn to.