As the Athletics prepare to reduce their payroll, first baseman Matt Olson stands out as an obvious and popular trade chip, even if Oakland naturally is asking for quite a bit in return for the All-Star. The Braves are among the teams who have “checked in” with the A’s about Olson, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports, while Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers “have already begun investigating what it would take to get Olson.”
Atlanta’s interest in Olson is obviously viewed through the lens of the Freddie Freeman market, as there seems to be some level of increased chatter that Freeman might depart the Braves after 12 seasons, as the two sides have yet to agree on the length and dollar value of a new contract. As Heyman notes, there is a general feeling that Freeman will ultimately wind up re-signing, but if not, Olson could be the Braves’ “contingency plan” if they have a sudden vacancy to fill at first base.
For the Rangers, adding Olson would be only the latest move for a club that has been one of the biggest stories of the free agent season. Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Jon Gray, and Kole Calhoun have already been signed on the open market, though prying Olson away from the A’s would now carry a different cost for Texas in terms of younger talent. While the A’s and Rangers have lined up on some very notable trades in recent years, it is possible Oakland might command a particular premium from Texas (or any other AL West suitor) to move Olson within the division.
One of baseball’s top all-around first basemen, Olson has won two Gold Gloves to go along with his big power numbers, and he is only entering his age-28 season. Olson is also controlled via arbitration over the next two seasons, and while his $12MM projection for 2022 isn’t exactly light, it is still more than reasonable for a player of his caliber.
For the Braves, this salary would surely be a smoother fit in the long-term payroll plans than giving Freeman something in the realm of $160MM+ throughout his 30’s. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has said that the club’s payroll will rise in the wake of their World Series triumph, though a mega-deal for Freeman could itself take up all of that increase. Anthopoulos has scored big on the free agent market during his time in Atlanta, though mostly on short-term contracts — if Freeman leaves and the asking price for Olson isn’t palatable, it is easy to see the Braves pivoting to a shorter-term first base option that wouldn’t cost a ton in either free agent dollars or prospect capital.
It’s safe to say that payroll isn’t quite as big a concern with the Rangers, given what they’re already invested in roster upgrades. By that token, the Rangers might prefer to continue spending to address any needs rather than deal from their prospect base, though Grant observes that such middle-infield prospects as Justin Foscue, Davis Wendzel, Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith could now be trade candidates in the wake of the Seager/Semien additions. Texas also has a good first base option already on hand in Nathaniel Lowe, yet Lowe (who is controlled through 2026) would also seem like the kind of trade chip that the Athletics would seek out as an Olson replacement at first base.
Let these teams start pouring in to up his price
I’ve noticed nobody seems to be talking about it but Adam Duvall was tendered a contract by the Braves. I wasn’t happy when he was non tendered 1 year ago. This is good for the Braves but Freddie is absolutely needed. Soler/Rosario/Pederson can all go but Freddie is the guy that has to stay.
Yeah this is good news. And barely mentioned anywhere. Makes me feel a lot better.
Thing is Anthopoulos can’t be the one to move first. He’s gotta let a report about Freddie signing somewhere hit before he can grab Olson. Even if he already knows Freddie is likely gone he’s gotta let the dominoes fall in order to help with the PR hit
This isn’t a good sign that Braves are checking in this at all. Seems Freddie leaving might not be that far fetched.
It would be more concerned if Alex was NOT checking in on potential Plan B’s. Naturally, Freddie should be first priority, but AA has to do his diligence on fallback plans. Olson would be the absolute best of those Plan B’s
I knew the second we started seeing all these big contacts thrown around this off-season, this relationship was in trouble. If they would have signed Freddie before the big names started to fall, they would have had a chance to land him at a “home town discount”. That ship has not only sailed, it has finished that voyage and started another. Semien getting seven years was a death blow to these negotiations. I had a feeling the other day when I saw them pick up the option on Snitker, that was in retrospect gonna be the first step in the PR conspiracy. I’d be more than shocked at this point if he resigns with the Braves.
Before the 2021 season, the Braves could probably have gotten Freddie for $160M. That ship has sailed.
he’s reportedly looking for 6 yrs 180 mil which is cheap for a player of his caliber
But he’s 32 years old. That contract will not age well and Atlanta doesn’t like to be bogged down with large contracts. Freddie means so much to the team that they could make a one time exception for him but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up leaving Atlanta to follow the money.
This puts him outside of the category of Chipper Jones, which he supposedly wants to be the next Chipper.
I agree Dorothy about the age concern as it pertains to number of years on the contract……..however , I might think a 1B is less inclined to get injured as he moves on in years. Plus he has been able to avoid any serious type of injuries over the years. . I would throw a 4yr/$140m out there and think about this. ….. He would still be in that 35/36 year old space…for another good contract. Much younger than Verlander and he just got $25m!! This guy is a special player. and a team leader.. I normally do not like these multiyear deals…but he is worth it
I agree with you 100 percent, Chipper was class. Freddy is all about the money
Chipper was class? What about when he cheated on his wife and had a baby with a Hooters waitress? Class act.
Now that’s funny!
Chipper liked the lady’s for sure. But he also turned bigger money down to stay a career Brave and is still involved with the team. It is yet to be determined if Freddie will do the same, but I still think he will.
@ Dorothy. $30 mil a year for next 6 might actually age well. No reason to think there will be a drop off in his game in the next 4 and with MLB revenues pouring in and contracts like those going to Seager? It might be a bargain.
Won’t age well? With the DH more the likely incoming this is actually even better circumstances, if his fielding dies down then you put his bat in the DH spot. I think he’s more then worth the investment. Now 43 million a year for scherzer is what I would consider a terrible won’t age well contract. He will be 40 making 43 mil
When you heard Larry speak, it was pretty obvious his strongest qualification after baseball player was most likely sanitation engineer.
Big contracts for first baseman don’t age well at all. They are some of the worst in the league. Just look at the first baseman who have been signed to them. Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis, Joe Mauer, Mo Vaughn, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, etc. The idea that 1st baseman last longer is a misconception. They play first because they are usually too slow to play another position. Once they lose a step it gets really bad.
The Braves would love to have Freeman on a 4 year deal. Freeman won’t sign it though. The Braves already offered him 5 years but Freeman is holding out and demanding 6. I don’t think there has ever been a 6 year deal for a 32 year old first baseman making $30 million AAV that worked out well at all. There is no real reason to assume Freeman will be any different. He is a special player but guys like Pujols, Cabrera, Mauer, Gonzalez and Fielder were all considered special, too. Some of them had even higher expectations than Freeman. They didn’t work out that long and history suggests Freeman won’t either. A lot of teams are willing to pay players for down years later in the contract. That doesn’t seem to be the model for the Braves. They don’t have any players on long deals who are expected to decline during the life of the contract. The last players I recall them signing through decline years were Derek Lowe and BJ Upton. Both of those contracts went terribly. I doubt the Braves want to revisit that strategy.
Can’t compare Freeman to other players. Stays healthy and great shape. Freeman hasn’t shown decline and also 6yr deal would mean he’s playing in 2027 for majority of the season at age 37 cause bday don’t turn 38 until September.
Add Ryan Howard to that list.
Ryan Howard is another. First base contracts just rarely work out. @stugots: What do you mean can’t compare Freeman to other players? All those other first baseman stayed healthy until they signed their extensions. People used to say that about Pujols . They said you can’t compare him to anyone because he was one of the greatest players of all time. It’s not true. You can always compare players. It’s smart to learn from history and foolish not to. Freeman is not in some class of his own when compared to players like Pujols and Cabrera. If those guys didn’t work out Freeman probably won’t either. Pujols, Gonzalez and Mauer all stayed in great shape. When owners and GM’s start thinking their player is so special they can’t even be compared with other future hall of famers who play the same position they are making a mistake. That’s falling in love with a player for his past. That’s precisely when owners make the mistake of offering a bad contract. It is step one in the process of making a poor contract decision. Can’t compare him to to other players is something Scott Boras would say to an owner right before the owner agrees to the worst contract in his team’s history.
Not talking about personal life, Chipper could have made much more money if he wanted the most he could get as Freddie is doing. If we pay Freddie as much as he’s asking, they reduces how much we can pay for other spots in lineup. Chipper wasn’t about the money, he loved the Braves, was a great player, one of the best to ever wear Braves on the front of his shirt. As far as liking the women, that has been going on a long time. Chipper was not the first and will not be the last
Pujols was a 1st baseman, that one didn’t age so well.
Depends on your definition of class. Maybe he was just trying to be in hunters class
@Steve Nebraska What happened to deleting your account?
Yes. They need to know for sure that the universal DH is coming before they sign anyone through age 38
He is a first basemen and then eventually a dh. His contract doesn’t scare me at all at that length and age. He in many ways is more deserving of a HUGE deal than some of these other players getting the mega deal. The guy is a stud in all parts of the game, on the field and off.
How did Pujols look at 38?
Which 38, actual or birth certificate age? 🙂
Pujols had Planter Fasciitis Could hardly walk
I agree. With the DH coming to the NL inevitably I think you make an exception. Obviously no one will expect the his production at the end of contract be the same as it is now.
Ideally a 4 year deal be nice and then you do with Freeman what they did with Chipper, each proceeding season just re-up on 1 year deals till he retires.
Freddie has a ton of intrinsic value beyond his value on the field. SHOW HIM THE MONEY!
Intrinsic value? Like what? He isn’t even the most marketable guy on the team. Acuna is. You think him being a career-long Brave adds value? Lol
Pujols didn’t look good at 32
Hardly “cheap”!
The issue with me is sure say you let freeman walk, you trade for Olson. Well then Olson is only 29 reaching free agency and at this pace he will command much much more then freeman is so then what. Let Olson walk and find another again while trading away prospects with no 1B prospect in the wings
Need to get facts straight RAM. Olson is 27, not 29.
Secondly, which pace are you talking about .last year??? ONE YEAR?? Thats a lot of pace….huh?
He is a career .252 hitter….dont get me wrong I love the guy…..BUT Freeman, well let’s see…I’d rather not recite his CAREER.. why dont you look for yourself then come back and tell me WHY he is going to cpmmand “much much more”???…
Ram is correct in that Olsen will be 29 when reaching free agency. He is in fact 27 with 2 more years of arbitration he will be 29.
My bad to Ram… But the more important thing is is he right in saying that Olson will command much much more money ? Based on what??
Olson is 27, free agent in two years so she of 29 as I said which you obv spent to much energy getting upset. Your welcome
What I’m saying is IF he keeps this pace up then I’m two years once he hits free agency he will look for a contract higher then 180M that freeman is looking for. Yes I get freeman’s career is much much more established and accomplished but with the way teams are paying pre arb players record deals, IF Olson has two more great years he will be in line for a big payday which in turn means will the Braves so that. So my point was, why not just pay freeman get 5-6 years bc they will most likely not want to pay what Olson may command if his numbers stay up which is what you hope for.
You are asking the wrong question. The true question is what will Olsen do the next two years vs Freddy for the next 6. Can’t base it off the past. It can be argued today that Olson’s glove is better, his power is better, but will likely get 1 less hit a week than Freddie which is the difference between a .250 hitter and a .300 hitter. All of this for 60 cent on the dollar. I would trade for Olsen, assume the top level pick as a result of offering Freeman a qualifying offer, then reserve the money (15-20 million per year) and address other areas. Olsen is from Lilburn so he is from Atlanta and would be embraced by the fans just like other local favorites from the area. Also, being in a better lineup could improve his number even more.
If Freddie leaves this is who I see as the replacement.
But I really don’t see Freddie leaving.
I think the CBA & Braves unique ownership situation is what’s the delay.
I truly believe they have a deal in place and once the CBA is lifted and free agency picks back up The Braves will have a clearer picture on how the contract will be finalized.
The Braves ownership situation is so unique you have to take that into the equation.
I have heard that because of their ownership situation they can’t do deferred money which is obviously a bad deal for players. So give it time before walking out on the ledge fellow Brave fans.
Freddie ain’t going anywhere
If he was it woulda happened this week.
Agree 100%!
I would agree, until to this article came out. The teams interested in Freddie will see this as an opportunity to be more serious and aggressive in pursuing him, which will look more interesting now that the Braves are showing interest in other options.
I know the braves won the World Series, eliminated my team, and dominated the playoffs, but if they let Freddie walk this organization should be ashamed of themselves and not forgiven by fans
As a Braves fan, I won’t forgive them. Of course I’d love to have the entire team back, but I understand that can’t and won’t happen. If they let Freeman walk over 1 year though? The face and heart of the franchise? Nah, I’m going to be mad. That goodwill AA and ownership may have built with the WS is gone.
Ohh, the dramatics.. Part of this falls on FF as well.
Why @vtn? Is it because he wants 1 extra year? Look, I’d understand if he was asking for a 10 year deal why it’s not done. This is digging in just to dig in though on Atlanta’s part, and I don’t get it.
He’ll be a Brave. Patience. The CBA deadline is not necessarily the Freedie Freeman deadline. There is plenty of time left in the offseason, the looming CBA just makes it seem like there’s less.
@Von- I hope you’re right. It’s just frustrating when the gap seems so small and it’s your favorite player out there.
@Appalachian Totally understandable. The Braves are a fierce division rival, and I absolutely love Freddie Freeman. He’s such a likable player, as are most of the Braves if I’m being honest.
What a childish outlook.
I’m sorry I don’t have delusions that I’m going to be a ML GM or something one day because I’m trying to be frugal with someone else’s money on a comment board @getreal. My bad. Remember to use buzzwords on the resume. It helps they say.
At this point, I can be down with moving on. If it’s Matt Olson, I think he’d give ATL a better shot over the next half-decade than Freeman. Freeman will be a 3-4 WAR player much of the contract while Olson is coming off a 5.2 WAR season in a massive home park at 27 y/o. At Truist Olson most likely will be even better offensively, while already being much better than Freeman defensively – not including more affordable. Sure, he’s not Freeman, but Olson is an ATL-native in his prime coming off a career year and fans will cheer for Freeman in the twilight of his career, while rooting for Olson becoming a star.
I would like them to get Olsen regardless of what is going on with Freddie. That would give them the most leverage. Worst-case, he can rotate in the OF and DH, replacing Rosario.
Olson is controlled for 2 more years who is to say he wouldn’t want an even bigger contract
He could, but you’d be getting those 2 years (during his prime) coming off what was already a 5.2 WAR (2021) career year at an arb price, not to mention he’d be entering FA at 30 y/o, as opposed to 32-33, like Freddie.
What’s interesting: (2021)
Freeman: BB-rate (12%), K-rate (15%)
Olson: BB-rate (13%), K-rate (16%)
No, Olson is not the hitter that Freeman is, but he’s got a lot more power potential at a younger age and if 2021 is any indication, he may have turned the corner in his approach.
@runDMC you are spot on, the first time Olsen puts up 40hr and makes the all star game in 2022, Braves fans will forget all about that Freeman guy playing on the Mets.
So sign him now down 6 before he hits FA Ofer him the Freeman deal it will age better with Olsen
Maybe, but you would give it to someone 29 and not 32
You’re a baby.
Cmon Rangers let’s get him
You won’t like the price. Will wipe out the top of your farm, since the A’s want major league ready guys.
Hopefully the Braves pull the trigger or some other team beside the Rangers on Olsen! Want him out of the AL West!
Olson will be cherished and loved in the Bronx
Until he has a bad couple weeks and they will want to package him with Sanchez for Mike Trout.
Because the Bronx has a reputation for treating their players great. Gallo has been there for half a year and he’s already beaten up by the harassment.
In my mind, a team doesn’t start to look at other options when they’re confident they’ll get a great player back on the team. The race to sign Freeman is gonna be a lot closer than we thought when the offseason began, and it’s looking more and more likely that Freeman’s jersey next year won’t have Braves or Atlanta on it.
Two weeks ago I would have laughed at you, but now I’m not so sure because our GM is being stubborn with his stupid 5 yr contract thing.
AA being stubborn? Not familiar with Donaldson, Ozuna negotiations…? Every offseason, same pressure by Braves fan to open up the checkbook and commit to a thirtysomething then hold AA accountable when it doesn’t work out. While we don’t know negotiations, it’s hilarious a trophy can’t even buy AA benefit of doubt.
This isn’t the same situation.
I will admit I was one who wanted Donaldson back; and at the time it was because I didn’t believe Riley would “get” it. The strikeouts were alarming and he looked lost at times. Playing in cold Aoril Minnesota versus warm April Atlanta is quite a bit different on the muscles, so who knows if it’d have worked?
Neither Ozuna or Donaldson are lifelong Braves, though. They weren’t cornerstones. I don’t- and won’t- just root for the name on the front of the jersey, though. That’s not fun.
In 2019 it was all about how bad the bullpen was and every fan was crying about the Braves not getting Craig Kimbrel when he and Keuchel were sitting out. The Braves signed Keuchel but he wasn’t great by any means, while Kimbrel got lit up. The cries to re-sign Donaldson after the season was another obnoxious trend I remember seeing. Than it was Ozuna. This year was whining about not bringing back Shane Greene early in the season. Whatever fans cry about wanting, AA should do the opposite.
I’m with the Legendary GM Branch Rickey who opined that it was better to trade a playera year early than a year late. Freeman is a great player but paying $30M when he’s 37-38 is stupid in my books, particularly for a mid-market team like the Braves. If there is one team in either league that has the prospect capital to acquire Olson it is the Braves. If they vcan pull it off, more power to them.
So in your book it’d be “smart” to give up 3-5 high level prospects- who have value themselves- in order to avoid *maybe* being slightly underwater on a contract after 4 or 5 years?
I vehemently disagree. Keep the prospects, pay Freeman and worry about down the road when it comes. Carpe Diem.
Red Sox could swing this trade highlighted by 1B Casas as the main chip
Please do! Sox, Yanks… whomever… someone make this trade so the Braves cannot.
Nate Lowe Nick Solak and Foscue
Not even close
why not. Nate Lowes value is quite high itself. 3 WAR player. with 5 years with f control left
Both players go back home: Olson to Georgia & Freddie to Cali.
I feel like the Braves “checking in” on Olson might be an attempt to reduce Freddie’s asking price. The Braves FO is air tight when it comes to roster moves and plans. They could very well already have a deal in place. The Braves may actually be preparing for Freddie to leave. Who knows. But if Freddie does leave, thank you for all you’ve given us!
Please do not trade him to the Rangers
The Rangers need a couple more OF and at least one more SP. Would rather them see about acquiring Lopez or Hernandez in FLA or Gray or Castillo in Cincy before trading prospect capital for a 1B we do not really need. Use the prospect capital for Santander or Mullins in Balt or a much smaller amount for D.Smith or JD Davis of the Mets.
Would Rangers fans want Ozuna? I’m sure Atlanta will try to trade him.
The Yankees should be all in acquiring Olson. Torres, Voit, Volpe, and German and maybe a reliever could get the deal done.
If the A’s are asking too much then pass and just re sign Rizzo for 2 years at 15m a year
Volpe ain’t going anywhere. The other 3 absolutely but there top ss prospect? Stop!
Yes, whether one agrees with the reasoning or not, Volpe is not being moved…at all. Peraza? Yeah, Dominguez? Probably not, but maybe. Everyone else I believe would be on the table for Cashman. Volpe, whom they have sold as the next 20-year Yankees SS isn’t going anywhere though.
This isn’t my assessment of the decision itself, rather my assessment of the outcomes.
YankS2. Agree 100% to a point. Would not offer Volpe. in that deal. POSSIBLY Peraza…….But let;s say that happens for hypothetical reasons….Olson at 1B. LeMahieu back to where he belongs…..WHO mans short. Oh I forgot..we just signed Jose Peraza….!!! yeah another Peraza….
Lol l, Jose Peraza. Cashman just trying to strike Urshela-level gold again.
Braves fan for 35 years and has been great to see a WS title!! I think highly of FF but he can walk and I won’t fault AA for letting him go. He is 32 yrs old and Atl does not have the ability survive a bad contract that he will carry in a couple years. You pay him 180-200 million your window is the next year maybe the next! Next year who plays SS, can’t pay Dansby 100 million! The tigers wish they had never given Miguel that extension! Not totally the same but Tom Brady walked and him and the patriots both are fine and so will the Braves. We have to keep winning and paying FF 30 million makes that harder especially when he declines.
Listen I want Freddie back as much as the next fan, but could you imagine Olsen’s Swing in Atl with that short porch in right field. He easily have 40 homeruns with his power. Same thing if the Yankees got him with their short porch in right. Olsen going put up monster numbers if he goes to Braves or Yankees. I still think Freddie Stays with Atlanta and everyday he doesn’t sign is good news for Braves fans. I agree the CBA is the reason Freddie hasn’t sign yet and how ownership is different than many other teams in ATL.
Agree with Braves Fan 138 ( and other previous posters) that the CBA and ownership model are the reasons AA and Freddie have not gotten it done (or else have agreed to announce it later). I would only add ONE other variable that few seem to be factoring into this dilemma. Until the status of right-fielder OZANA was clarified by MLB earlier this week, the Braves (AA and owners) did not know how much of his multi-year, high-dollar contract they would be stuck with. With no answer from MLB & Manfried on Ozana’s status in 2022, 2023 & 2024, the Brave’s hands were somewhat tied on what was available to spend for Soler/Rosario/Pederson/ Duvall and… yes… Freeman. Now everything is on the table for payroll to be examined.
@blackbeard. I was shocked to here 20 games for a suspension 80 to a full season would have been more acceptable. Looks bad on Manfred. I doubt he plays for Atlanta again.
Agreed. I was shocked they let Atlanta dangle up until this week without an answer. The Braves could have made some decisions by now if Manfred had not taken the pre-CBA weeks to determine the Braves are only relieved of 20 games pay for all of Ozuna’s lost services. That was my only point. On another thought – I like your screen name and share your opinion. The Crime Dawg was another Brave who never got his due,
Thanks Blackbeard. Last I hear the veterans committee should be voting possibly this month on that very issue. He will be in eventually. I think the 1994 strike cost him the magic 500 home run mark.
You can blame the suspension length on the police investigation. Turns out the things the officers swore they saw happen did not happen when the body cam footage was reviewed. Practically atlanta and ozuna got a full season suspension, ozuna got a 20 game pay cut, but atlanta lost the player for 142 extra games and has to pay the player for that. Feels like atlanta got hit harder than ozuna did.
Is Preller secretly working for the Rangers again?
I can’t see an Olson deal happening before Freddie is settled, one way or the other.
Depends on what’s offered but I think you’re correct. Freeman signs and it drives the price up.
This is clearly a game between Freeman and the Braves (no blame assigned there, simply a statement). Freeman shows willingness to leave to up his years/$, while ATL shows willingness to move on to the one guy who could *almost* fill Freeman’s shoes on the field to get his years/$ back down. Eventually Freeman will be a Brave imho.
For Olson, IF TX pries him out from under the Yankees too? Cashman should probably buy an armored car because the NYers are going to be incredibly pissed.
@yankee clipper. Cashman might need to hire a special forces security team. Unbelievable has hasn’t made a single big addition yet. I thought for sure they’d pick up at least 1 notable free agent before this transaction freeze.
Yeah, me too, man. And Yankees fans (me included) are notably going overboard in reaction to lack of action this early. But I think it’s because of the underlying statements they’re making regarding true positions of need and what seems to be there complete inattentiveness to said positions.
Lots of time left to right the ship, so we will see. But each major name (in this case, possibly two more) that comes off the board, squeezes a Cash a little bit tighter.
Freeman can wait until players report to sign. He will get six years or more at 30 million or more from the Braves. He may not age well but the prospects that the Braves do NOT have to trade to get Olson may age well. Olson could cost Waters, Pache, Muller and Wright.
That’s exactly my view! I’m not incredibly high on Pache, but that could be two starting caliber OFs, or 2 SPs and/or maybe a Catcher… These are all pieces that would need to be accounted for. Not to mention that in 2 years you’d have to pay Olson, too. All this for what… so you’re maybe not a little underwater on the 5th or 6th contract year? I don’t think the defense even matters for Freeman because it looks as if the NL is getting the DH.
AO: Brother, you are cracking me up, man!
I wish there was a way to post my message in permanence when Olson is traded…but my prediction is the A’s haul for him will be very underwhelming
My prediction is that it will appear underwhelming and then in a few years, prove to be a really solid return. And then a few years later, those pieces will get traded for what appears to be an underwhelming return. But then a few years later, it will prove to be a really solid return. And then a few years later…
So realistically the Rangers would need to trade Lowe to take over 1st, Foscue (or one other middle infielder), one of the top pitchers not named Leiter or Winn (Vanasco probably) and probably a 4th guy in the low minors that nobody has really heard of to make a trade with Oakland. It is gonna hurt to make the trade but also pay off. Anything less than this and I would consider it a win for the Rangers.
Resign Freddie and get Olson to play OF 🙂
Nate Lowe Justin Foscue Sam Huff and Zeke Duran for Olsen and Pender
Please, no. Reason being is because it seems pretty likely that the A’s would want Lowe as Olson’s replacement, and I really don’t want to trade him because I think Lowe has a lot of potential. I mean, he put up an OPS+ in the 110’s last season and was maybe our best hitter (I think he was). Unless he would be moving to DH, I really don’t want to do this.
“Please no, I dont want a player who is 5x the player Nate Lowe will ever be, because Lowe had a 110 OPS+ playing in TEXAS”
You sound not smart here, just sayin.
“you sound not smart here”….hello kettle.
And in case you didn’t know, since moving to the new stadium Texas is no longer a hitters park but a neutral /pitcher’s park.
We don’t have the need at 1B plus Nathaniel is playing well and has potential to improve. If we’re making a trade, it has to be for pitching. Either Castillo of the Reds or Rogers of Miami.
Jon Heyman reports… Call me when someone who isn’t a clueless idiot confirms it.
Cool, the Braves and Rangers can drive up the price on Olson so the A’s can get actual, real prospects from the Rays back for him instead of whatever a “Justin Foscue” is smh
Best possible trade scenario is Olson to Rays or Padres, but its an absolute travesty John Fisher isnt giving him 10/300 right now.
Foscue is a top 100 prospect and one of the best pure hitting prospects in the minors right now. you should be very happy if the A’s get him
Come on, Braves, don’t treat Freddie wrong.
I’d rather them trade for Olson and Manea than re sign Freddie 2 players for less money filling 2 holes
A’s get
Wright
Pacheco
Contreras
Toussaint
Luggage
Showcase
Braves get
Olson
Manea
Pache
I would assume Pache or Waters is part of this
Brave fan since 1959 ( not a typo ) and if anything I have learned is players like being closer to home , extended family and money does matter , especially the crazy money in baseball today.
Freeman is a great guy , fine player but this is a business.
Everyone is replaceable at some point !
@doxie. I guess everyone has bills and Freddie didn’t get those dental veneers for free. It’s almost scary when he smiles!
I hate to see Freddie go if indeed he does but how far does his allegiance to ATL go? I few years ago, he chose to play for Canada in the WBC and not the USA. I realize his late mother was Canadian but he isn’t.
Personally love for braves to sign Freddie. Doesn’t turn 33 until September so 6yr deal would be playing at age 37 for majority of the season. Now if walks away then it’s a must to trade for Georgia native Olson who’s be 28yr old in March. Braves need a lefty bat in that lineup bottom line.
Braves are letting Freeman leave this is just like they did with Donaldson a few years back . Freeman will sign elsewhere .
Some valid points however position has nothing to do with bat speed, see Angels / Albert Pujols…
As of yet, AA is not coming through with resigning Freeman. Let’s all write a letter to Santa. Maybe the old man can throw in a couple of bucks.
Sign Freddie for 6/180 if that’s what it takes. Front load if you have to but get it done. He is the face of the franchise and a sure first ballot hall of famers.
32.5m 2022
30m 2023
27.5m 2024
25m 2025
22.5m 2026
22.5m 2027
20m player and club option 2028
Every team should be asking what it would take. Never hurts to ask, and Oakland likes mlb ready prospects so it may be that they want something a team is willing to part with, and perhaps can work into a 3 way trade to fill other holes. As a giants fan my team is about the only team that shouldn’t be asking as the answer is probably San Jose.
What’s funny is it has been reported the Braves gained roughly 160 million in profit from the combined 2021 postseason earnings. Pay Freddie it wouldn’t have happened without him.
When evaluating Olson vs Freddie, you need to factor what it will take the Braves to trade for him.
The As want MLB ready players, and the Braves don’t have many of those that aren’t pitchers. Pache won’t be enough, or even headline a package.
While Texas is taking on so much payroll, maybe they want to take Ozuna’s contract as well?
The A’s should insist on the Yankees taking Elvis Andrus’ contract with an Olson deal. Especially if they are trying to dump contracts this year. NY may even luck out if Andrus can give them a half-decent defensive SS.
Here’s one outside the box:
Call Arizona about Ketel Marte. Offer Pache, a young pitcher (Davidson/Muller/Wright?), maybe a young catcher (Langeliers).
See if they will take on Ozuna’s contract if ATL takes Madison Bumgarner’s deal.