Did Freddie Freeman Free Agency Make Way For A's 1st Basement Matt Olson?

ATLANTA, GA – As rumors swirl about whether or not Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman will return to the roster or become “Freddie Free Agent,” the front office did nothing to silence fans’ fears.

Monday the team traded away four draft prospects to put a new name on first – Matt Olson from Oakland. In exchange, outfield Cristian Pache, Atlanta’s No. 1 prospect in the MLB Pipeline, will go to the Athletics along with catcher and No. 2-ranked Shea Langeliers, and pitchers Joey Estes (No. 14) and Ryan Cusick.

The Braves acquire a hefty bat and nimble mitt in Olson who racked up at least 29 yard balls in the last three full seasons, including a career-high 39 homers last season. He’s also captured two Golden Gloves and finished eighth in American League MVP voting on his way to his first All-Star selection, finishing the 2021 season with career benchmarks of a .271 batting average, 111 RBIs and 88 walks.

Olson also logged 101 runs, 153 hits, and 35 doubles, and 22 of the left-handed batter’s homers came against left-handed pitchers, the most by a lefty slugger since Stan Musial in 1949, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

While Olson bats lefty, he throws right-handed, the Braves said. He is a native of Gwinnett County and graduated from Parkview High School in Lilburn where his jersey was retired in 2019, Braves officials said. He joins Josh Hart (class of 2013) and former Braves outfielder Jeff Francoer (2002) the third career first-round selection from Parkview.

Speculation remains where Freeman will land.