The Atlanta Braves shocked the MLB world on Monday, trading a number of top prospects in their organization to the Oakland Athletics for star first baseman Matt Olson.
This raised questions from Braves fans on the impending free agency decision of star first baseman Freddie Freeman, especially considering it looks like Olson may have been brought in to be his replacement.
It is indeed looking more and more likely that Freeman will be moving on this offseason, as the Braves have announced a massive extension for Olson just one day after trading for him. Per Jeff Passan, they’ve agreed on an eight-year, $168 million deal.
Not only does Atlanta have a new 1B in Matt Olson, it’s going to have him for a long, long time. Olson and the Braves have agreed on an eight-year, $168 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Atlanta locks up the hometown kid two years before he was due to hit the market.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 15, 2022
Olson is notably from Georgia, which surely went into his decision to sign a long-term deal. It also seemingly gave the Braves a pretty team-friendly contract as well.
Olson had this to say on the massive extension to play for his hometown team going forward.
“I watched Chipper, Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine… I was the kid in the stands.”
The hometown kid is here to stay. pic.twitter.com/fI08Mpz3jP
— MLB (@MLB) March 15, 2022
This contract has certainly gotten the MLB world talking, with many seeing this deal as the perfect long-term solution for replacing Freeman going forward
He went from the poorhouse to the penthouse real quick. Dudes a stud https://t.co/XB5XXcSMEF
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) March 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/KirvinMoesquit/status/1503782127984390144
In AA we trust https://t.co/yZRWkeIDhO
— jxke. 🧸 (@cantguardjake) March 15, 2022
Move is looking better today. https://t.co/ikA9Ufig1U
— Will Cheney (@CheneyAUG) March 15, 2022
After the trade, some questioned if Atlanta gave up too much in return for Olson, with four top-15 prospects in their organization being involved. However, it seems like Braves fans are pretty content with the trade now knowing that Olson is seemingly locked up for the foreseeable future with this contract.
The Braves shocked the baseball world last season when they won their first World Series championship since 1995. If their offseason moves are an indication, they could be in contention to compete for a repeat title in 2022.
