Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re aware the Braves have traded for Matt Olson, but somehow, that isn’t even the best part. Right before they introduced him to the Atlanta media yesterday, it was revealed that the Braves had extended Olson through the 2029 season.
The deal is for eight years and $168 million, keeping Olson in his hometown of Atlanta through his age-36 season. It’s a fantastic deal for the Braves, and nobody is more excited than Olson, who grew up a fan of the team during the golden era.
Matt Olson on coming to Atlanta to join the team he grew up on:
"I watched Chipper, Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine all those guys… I was the kid in the stands at the #Braves game, so it was cool to check my locker out, see the jerseys, see the number, put this on. Really excited." pic.twitter.com/jahqfgobQn
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) March 15, 2022
He also has the right attitude when it comes to taking over for Freddie Freeman, who has been the face of the Braves franchise for the better part of a decade. Olson doesn’t plan on trying to be anybody but Matt Olson.
"I'm here to be Matt Olson. It's all I can really control.@mattolson21 understands the situation. pic.twitter.com/Hr1OWWU5uk
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) March 15, 2022
For fans upset about the loss of Freeman, I completely understand. It’s genuinely painful to lose a player after watching him grow from a teenage boy into a man, an MVP, and World Series champion. With that being said, the Braves got a fantastic alternative in Matt Olson. He’s an absolute stud on the field and an equally terrific person off of it.
Alex Anthopoulos couldn’t have made a better fit in a lab to take over for Freeman, but most importantly, Olson had no desire to play anywhere else. He already had a house in Atlanta, and within 24 hours of the trade, he agreed to an extension, something Freeman never did. I can get used to that kind of loyalty. I’m sure it won’t be long until the rest of the fan base does as well.
You must log in to post a comment.