Matt Olson: Trade| Contract| Stats| Trade details| Free agency

The Braves have acquired Matt Olsen from A. The move is likely to end free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman’s tenure in Atlanta. Today we will discuss about Matt Olson: Trade| Contract| Stats| Trade details| Free agency.

Matt Olson: Trade| Contract| Stats| Trade details| Free agency

Matthew Kent Olson (born March 29, 1994) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Oakland Athletics. He made his MLB debut in 2016. Olsson has won two Gold Glove Awards, three Fielding Bible Awards, and was an All-Star in 2021.

Trade

Freddie Freeman’s time with the Atlanta Braves may be coming to an end. The Braves have completed a trade with the Oakland Athletics that sends star first baseman Matt Olsson to Atlanta for four prospects, including outfielder Christian Pache and catcher Shea Langeliers. The trade has been announced and is official.

Before the lockout it was reported that Freeman was seeking a six-year, $180 million contract, while the Braves were closer to five years and $130 million, which is in line with Paul Goldschmid’s contract with the Cardinals. The Dodgers have been in talks with Freeman in recent days. The Olsen trade makes way for Freeman to sign with his hometown team.

Olsson, 27, had a breakout in the 2021 season, scoring 39 home runs along the .271/.371/.540 batting line. He has cut his strike rate drastically and is also a gold glove-caliber defender. Olsson will remain in control of the team as an arbitration-qualified player until 2023, so it is a two-year buyout for the defending World Series champions as they try to keep their title window open.

It is still possible that the Braves could re-sign Freeman – Freeman and Olsson could share first base and DH duties with Marcel Ozuna in the outfield full-time – although this seems highly unlikely. It’s never easy to discharge a franchise icon, but from a cold-blooded commercial standpoint, the Braves replaced Freeman with a comparable player that’s several years younger and cheaper.

Contract

The Freddie Freeman era in Atlanta is over. The Braves announced Monday that they have acquired All-Star first baseman Matt Olsson from the Athletics in exchange for a hefty package of minor league talent: center fielder Christian Pache, catchers Shea Langeliers and right-handers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes. . While some Atlanta fans may hope that the implementation of the universally designated hitter opens up the possibility for both Olson and Freeman to coexist on the same roster, Valiant President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos discussed the business with reporters. Time implied otherwise. Anthopoulos broke down in tears today, calling the Olsson trade the toughest transaction ever – a clear nod to the team’s plans for Freeman (or lack thereof).

As is the case with Anthopoulos, Olsen’s acquisition will be a bittersweet one for many brave fans. While Olsson is an elite first baseman with Atlanta roots, it has long been difficult to understand Freeman, 2020 National League MVP, is eventually moving on and signing with a new team. Freeman was a household star in every sense of the word, going from 78 overall draft picks in 2007 to becoming a five-time All-Star, league MVP and World Series champion. He’s spent the past 12 seasons in Atlanta, thanks in large part to an eight-year, $135MM contract extension that kept him in Braves gear much longer than his arbitration years. Freeman has become synonymous with the Braves, but what seems certain now is a change of guard.

As far as Freeman’s replacement, it’s hard to dream of a better option than the Atlanta-born Olsen. Set to turn 28 later this month, Olsson is a two-time Gold Glover at first base, having just completed a career year that earned him his first All-Star nod. Over the past three years, Olsson has cemented himself as one of the major power threats in the game, scoring 89 home runs and 65 doubles, while playing his home games at the Caverns Oakland Coliseum. Last season, Olsson shed the label “strikeout-prone” when he reduced his strike rate from 27.5% to 16.8% in 2019-20. He did so while maintaining an excellent 13.1% walk rate and turning in the best overall season of his career: .271 / .371 / .540 with a career-high 39 home runs.

Stats

Trade details

The Atlanta Braves, the defending World Series champions, made a blockbuster trade Monday, acquiring first baseman Matt Olsson from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for four prospects: outfielder Christian Pache, catcher Shea Langeliers, and right-handers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes.

By acquiring Olsson, the Braves would have established a domino effect throughout the league. Now Freddie Freeman, who seemed like a sure bet to return to Atlanta to enter the offseason, can find a new home through free agency. Where he lands could very well dictate the fates of fellow free agent Anthony Rizzo and New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voight. Freeman’s signing may also provide clarity on the Carlos Correa market.

For all the attention on the Braves’ side, the Olsen trade marks the continuation of the Athletics’ teardown. Oakland sent right-hander Chris Bassit to the New York Mets over the weekend, and are expected to send out third baseman Matt Chapman and starters Frankie Montas and Sean Mana in the coming days.

Free agency

Major League Baseball’s lockdown is over, and spring training creatures on Sunday. But it won’t just be “spring training,” as we all know and love it. It’ll be like The Wildest Spring Training Ever. Hundreds of free agents are trying to sign as soon as possible, all at the same time. Businesses that were never done this winter flare up at any moment. Visa Problem Theatre. and so much more.

Ken Rosenthal, Jason Starc, Britt Ghiroli, Jim Bowden and the rest of the Athletic’s MLB staff will keep you updated with the latest rumors, signings, deals and analysis.

Monday felt personal. It felt personal as Jesse Winker grew up before our very eyes. Like his mentor Jay Bruce in front of him. Winker was seen rising up every level in the Reds system. A baby-faced kid turned into an all-star. And for the promises Winker had made over the years, 2021 was the one when he really developed into a big league player, not only making his first All-Star Game appearance, but being picked a starter. Was. While he was drafted before the team’s rebuild, he was one of the young players who were considered part of the next great Reds team that could be broken by a playoff drought, when Winker was in diapers.

And then there was Eugenio Suarez and his ever-present smile. Even when he talked about the business that ended his business in Cincinnati, Suarez said “I have my heart in Cincinnati.” Suarez, Ty.