Bravesacquire Matt Olson

Braves trade for Matt Olson, potentially ending Freddie Freeman's time in Atlanta

BravesAcquire Matt Olson

The Atlanta Braves, the defending World Series champions, have traded for first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics in a move that could potentially end Freddie Freeman's time in Atlanta.

Olson's Impact

Olson is a two-time Gold Glove winner and a one-time Silver Slugger. He is coming off a season in which he hit .271 with 37 home runs and 111 RBIs. He is considered one of the best young first basemen in the game.

Freeman's Future

Freeman, 32, has been the face of the Braves franchise for over a decade. He is a five-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger. He is considered one of the best hitters in the game.

The Braves have not yet announced whether they will re-sign Freeman, who is a free agent after this season. However, the acquisition of Olson suggests that the Braves are prepared to move on without Freeman.

Why the Braves Traded for Olson

There are several reasons why the Braves traded for Olson. First, Olson is younger than Freeman and has a similar skill set. Second, Olson is under contract for the next four seasons, while Freeman is a free agent after this season.

Third, the Braves believe that Olson can be a more versatile player than Freeman. Olson can play both first base and designated hitter, while Freeman is primarily a first baseman.