ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves made a big deal that ended the Freddie Freeman era.
The Braves traded for Oakland A All-Star baseman Matt Olson, which was confirmed Monday afternoon. ESPN first reported on the deal.
CONNECTED: Who is the new Atlanta Brave, Matt Olson?
Atlanta will send outfielder Christian Pach, catcher Shea Langeliers, and pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes to Oakland.
Zach Klein of Channel 2 broke the news of the trade to Snitker during a spring training session for the media.
The Braves announced Tuesday that Olson has signed an 8-year, $168 million contract that runs through the 2029 season.
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A $20 million club option will be available in 2030.
The Braves have stated that Olson will earn $15 million in 2022, and he has agreed to donate $1.68 million to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Olson’s trade means the Braves will not sign a new contract with Freddie Freeman, although Snitker said he would not comment on Freeman’s future.
Braves manager Brian Snitker was visiting the media when news broke that the team was trading 1B Matt…
Here is his reaction and what Freddie Freeman means to him⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PdZy3wM2hT
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 14, 2022
Freeman won the 2020 NL MVP title and earned five All-Star nominations in his 12 seasons with Atlanta.
“Freddie is definitely an amazing player,” Olson told reporters. “It just won’t affect what I come here and do. I’m here to be Matt Olson. That’s all I can really control.”
Freeman is expected to sign with the Dodgers or Yankees, although some media outlets report that the Rays and Blue Jays are interested in him.
Meanwhile, the trademark marks Olson’s homecoming. The 27-year-old grew up in Metro Atlanta and graduated from Parkview High School.
Olson earned his first All-Star appearance last season and finished with a .271 batting average, 111 RBIs and 39 home runs. He is under the control of the team until 2023.
“Obviously I know Atlanta,” Olson said on Monday. “This is an amazing place, World Series champions, my hometown. If there’s one place to go and get out of here, it’s the place to do it. I’m delighted with it.”
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos boldly entered the roster when it became apparent Sunday night that Freeman would likely sign elsewhere.
“A really exciting day for us,” Anthopoulos said. “We worked on it all day, all night. I didn’t get enough sleep.
The general manager said he was excited that Olson, a suburban Atlanta native, would be a long-term part of a group of young stars that also includes Ronald Akuña Jr., Ozzy Albis, Austin Riley and Max Freed.
“For you who want to make a commitment, to be with us, to be here and be part of this core, this is extremely interesting,” Antopoulos told Olson at a press conference. “Hopefully we will continue to be a very competitive club.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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