On Monday, The Atlanta Braves and Oakland A's linked up for a trade. The Braves have been in talks with veteran 1B Freddie Freeman in the off season. However, Freeman's asking price was about 80 million more total than what they were able to sign Olson for on Tuesday. That coming from veteran MLB Insider Jeff Passan. The trade allows Olson, an ATL native to return home.
Olson is coming off a monster year in 2021 in Oakland, he had a career 39 homers and drove in a career high 111 runs. Freeman is probably the better pure hitter as he has multiple years with a .300 or better average, but the power numbers are very close. Olson also considered a better defensive 1st baseman, is younger and reportedly significantly less expensive.
Freeman is beloved by Braves Fans and for good reasons, and while his departure is in ways the end of an era, it begins a new and exciting chapter with Olson holding down the 1st base bag. Check our guy Rob Brown's thoughts in the tweet below.