The MLB universe was shocked on Monday afternoon upon learning that the Atlanta Braves are, most likely, not bringing longtime star Freddie Freeman back.
We can never say never, but the Braves just traded four excellent prospects to the Oakland Athletics for first baseman Matt Olson, effectively Freeman’s replacement.
The Braves already made the move official.
#Braves Acquire INF Matt Olson: pic.twitter.com/qPL9PyVUeP
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 14, 2022
The Internet is such a good place that we already have Olson’s first words as a player of the Atlanta Braves.
Matt Olson's reaction after being traded to the Braves ⬇️
(via @MartinJGallegos)pic.twitter.com/eMd9jdnNTS
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 14, 2022
Olson hit 39 home runs, scored 101 runs, and drove in 111 last year, so it’s fair to say he is very, very good.
Media And Fans Reacted To The Trade
The MLB world, obviously, reacted to the trade.
Some think that the A’s haul was massive, but other think the Braves won the trade.
Braves robbed Oakland blind
Catcher and OF that can’t hit + 2 solid pitching prospects for a top-5 1B lol https://t.co/y8P54iWbVa
— kev mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) March 14, 2022
Braves fans are surely sad to see their idol go, a player who had been with them for over a decade and helped Atlanta win its first World Series since 1995 last year.
But Olson is legitimately good.
By the way, Braves fans, you’re gonna love Matt Olson. One of the best defenders you’re going to see at first base, sneaky one of the best power bats in baseball when he’s locked in, and just a genuinely good dude. I know it sucks to lose Freddie, but you’re getting a great one.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) March 14, 2022
Outfielder Cristian Pache, catcher Shea Langeliers, and pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes are going to the A’s in return for Olson.
Atlanta wouldn’t make such a big investment (two top-100 prospects in MLB as a whole, plus two top-15 organizational prospects) to bring Olson if they weren’t planning on letting Freeman sign with another team.
My heart breaks for A’s fans that they are saying goodbye to Matt Olson.
My heart breaks for Braves fans that they are saying goodbye to Freddie Freeman.
If only baseball wasn’t a business.
— A. Henderson-Bentley (@angelahbentley) March 14, 2022
It’s truly the end of an era, as Freeman was beloved by fans in Atlanta and will now likely sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, unless something really unexpected happens in the next few hours.
Oakland will go ahead with their rebuild with four solid prospects in exchange for two years of one of the best power hitters in the game.
Atlanta, on the other hand, will try to fend off the New York Mets and retain their NL East title.
NEXT: Robinson Cano Must Regain The Trust Of The Mets
