Matt Olson Sends Message Amid Troubling Braves Development

Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Matt Olson Sends Message Amid Troubling Braves Development

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Aug 5, 2026 9:00 AM ET

The Atlanta Braves entered this year's trade deadline with a clear hole at the top of the starting rotation, lacking a reliable No. 2 arm behind left-handed ace Chris Sale. Despite that, president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos did what he has done throughout his entire tenure.

He explored trading for arms but did not make any major moves, instead trusting the team he built before the season started. That decision upset Braves faithful, and for understandable reasons.

Atlanta had a clear chance to add World Series-caliber talent to the rotation and there were plenty of arms available.

Instead, the Braves will likely be relying on Bryce Elder or Martin Perez as a Game 2 starter behind Sale when they could have acquired an All-Star level arm.

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Braves won Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins, improving their record to 68-45 as they inch closer to clinching the National League East division title.

After the game, first baseman Matt Olson reacted to the Atlanta Braves' decision not to bolster the rotation at this year's trade deadline, offering a different perspective on how he feels about Anthopoulos' approach.

"We trust Alex with what he does, because he always does a good job of putting a roster together that'll win. I play first base, not GM. So, I think we got a great group in here," Olson said (h/t Mark Bowman of MLB.com).

Matt Olson when asked about the Braves not getting a frontline starter:

“We trust Alex with what he does, because he always does a good job of putting a roster together that'll win. I play first base, not GM. So, I think we got a great group in here.”

The last NL East first…
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 4, 2026

Olson is one of Anthopoulos' best acquisitions, though he was acquired in the offseason in a deal with the Athletics rather than at the deadline.

He is still at the peak of his powers, posting a .266 batting average, .342 on-base percentage, .883 OPS, 31 home runs and 69 RBIs across 436 at-bats this year while once again not missing a single game.

The Braves could still make a deep October run given how dominant the offense has been, and Olson clearly believes they can, even without a proven second starter behind Sale.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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