Braves trade for Matt Olson; Freddie Freeman departure next?

The Oakland Athletics traded first baseman Matt Olson to the Atlanta Braves. Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Braves trade for A's All-Star 1B Matt Olson; Freddie Freeman departure next?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/14/22

The Atlanta Braves are finalizing a trade for Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Monday. The trade sends four players to Oakland in exchange for Olson.

Oakland will receive OF Cristian Pache, C Shea Langeliers, SP Ryan Cusick and SP Joey Estes, sources tell ESPN. Massive haul for Matt Olson, the Braves’ new first baseman.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 14, 2022

The 27-year-old first baseman is coming off a stellar 2021 campaign, slashing .271/.371/.540 with 39 home runs, 111 RBI and 101 runs scored on 153 hits.

The addition of Olson all but spells the end of Freddie Freeman's tenure in Atlanta. Freeman, who has spent his entire career with the Braves, hit .300/.393/.503 with 31 home runs, 83 RBI and 120 runs scored on 180 hits in 2021. He was a key piece to the puzzle in the postseason as Atlanta won its first World Series since 1995.

As far as where the Villa Park, Calif., native may play next, reports over the weekend said the Los Angeles Dodgers are in hot pursuit of landing him.

Sources: #Dodgers talks with Freddie Freeman are intensifying. The sides remain in contact tonight on a deal that would bring the reigning World Series champ home to his native California. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 12, 2022

Freeman would add consistency at first base while also providing another left-handed bat to the lineup to make up for Corey Seager's departure, the Los Angeles Times notes.

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