Braves sign newly acquired All-Star 1B Matt Olson to eight-year, $168 million deal
The Atlanta Braves made headlines on Monday when they traded for All-Star first baseman Matt Olson. On Tuesday afternoon, they announced they were going to keep the Atlanta native with his hometown team for the better part of the next decade.
The organization's decision to commit to Olson further solidifies the near-certainty that 2020 NL MVP (and career-long Brave) Freddie Freeman has played his final game in an Atlanta uniform. Freeman has garnered mass interest from numerous teams, including the Boston Red Sox, which were reported as the latest possible contender.
Olson is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he produced career-highs in home runs (39), RBI (111), doubles (35), hits (153) and runs (101), while registering a slash line of .271/.371/.540. The two-time Gold Glove Award winner made his first All-Star team last season as well.
With the long-term deal, Olson is expected to form a lethal 1-2 punch in the middle of the Braves lineup with two-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year, outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
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