Out with the old…in with the new, but memories will last forever. Atlanta Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos (AA) couldn’t wait around for free agent 1B Freddie Freeman to make a decision. It was taking way too long and a business decision had to be made as to not cause a distraction to his team as spring training was getting underway in North Port, Florida. I applaud what AA did, a decision had to be made and he made it. I trust his decisions based on what he did last year.
Yesterday AA traded for 1B Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics. Olson is ranked 3rd among 1B in today’s game. Freeman is ranked #1, so there is not much dropoff, and Olson is four years younger about to turn 28. Last year Freeman had 30 home runs to Olson’s 39 to go along with 111 RBIs. But you don’t know much about Olson because he played on the west coast. But what you might not know is Olson grew up right here in Atlanta, attending Parkview High School. Same high school as former Brave and current Braves broadcaster Jeff Francoeur. Last year he hit .271 to go along with his 39 dingers and 111 RBI. Since Olson’s rookie campaign in 2016, he has a combined average of .252 with 142 home runs.Olson swings left handed and he will grow to love the short porch in right field in the Chop House.
Off the field Olson has a foundation called ReClif. ReClif is a foundation for autism. Olson has already agreed to donate $1.68 million to charities. See the clip below about what ReClif is all about:
Olson grew up in Atlanta watching the stars of the team in the 1990’s.
I truly want to welcome Olson to the 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves. Though he will not be receiving a championship ring for winning the World Series last year, he will be contributing to try to bring a second straight championship to the Braves.
And as I’m typing this story a notification comes over my phone that the Braves have just extended Olson until 2029 with a club option in 2030 worth $168 million. He will earn $15 million in 2022, $21 million in 2023, and $22 million from years 2024 – 2029.
Header photo courtesy of San Francisco Chronicle
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