Sad breaking news: Matt Olson has finally signed and left the Atlanta Breaves team due to the…
Finally signing with the Atlanta Breaves, Matt Olson quit the team because of the NORTH PORT, Fla. Freddie Freeman played more than 1,600 games for the Braves. If he had followed through on his stated wish to conclude his career in Atlanta, he might have ended up on the team’s equivalent of Mount Rushmore for hitters, alongside his friend and first-ballot Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.
However, that notion was shattered on Monday when the Braves, unable to reach a deal with Freeman’s management, sold four prospects to Oakland in exchange for first baseman Matt Olson, a megadeal.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos was on the edge of tears, but it wasn’t the package that contained three of the team’s top five prospects: right-hander Joey Estes, outfielder Cristian Pache, catcher Shea Langeliers, and Ryan Cusick.
He was devastated because it signaled the end of the Freddie Freeman era in Atlanta, which spanned more than 11 seasons, a World Series victory, and an exceptionally close relationship between the amiable 2020 NL MVP and his Braves teammates, supporters, managers, and yes, front-office staff.
Anthopoulos, who was unusually serious even as he praised Olson—a native of the Atlanta region and two-time Gold Glove winner who hit 39 home runs last season—said, “I’m excited to get Matt, but it’s tough.”
Because it is against MLB policy for club officials to discuss any free agent for whom they may not be in the running for, Anthopoulos repeatedly declined to speak specifically about Freeman and the negotiations. However, he didn’t need to mention Freeman because it was obvious that the general manager’s dejected expression was due to ending his relationship with one of the most well-liked and effective players in Atlanta history.
When questioned if this was about something more than giving up prospects, Anthopoulos responded, “Yeah, sure.” I can’t get into that, though. With a downcast expression, he muttered, “It’s a tough deal,” straining to get the word tough out.
Ron Washington, the Braves’ third-base coach and infield guru, said, “It’s very tough.” In the end, though, I believe Freddie had to take the necessary actions for himself and his family. Alex fulfilled his obligations. That takes place within the game.
When the Braves decided not to re-sign Freeman, who was rumored to be holding out for a six-year deal and had been offered a five-year deal valued at roughly $140 million by the Braves, Anthopoulos was questioned.
“I am not able to discuss specifics,” stated Anthopoulos. “We finally decided last night that we would try to complete this trade, and we succeeded in doing so today.”
Many Braves supporters on social media appeared to be just as angry as Anthopoulos. The distinction was that many of them exuded a mixture of sadness and rage at the Braves and their Liberty Media ownership group for failing to pay the necessary sums to re-sign Freeman, particularly for failing to do so more than a year ago, before he was even a free agent and other teams began to pursue him.
Colleagues hoping that Freeman would be re-signed and return to the clubhouse as their unofficial team captain and unquestionable leader were still holding out hope few hours before the trade was finalized. On Monday, they were getting ready for the first spring training exercise.
Star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Braves stated, “It’s definitely different” without him in camp. “Because at the start of spring training, we’ve all been used to having him here. However, I believe we’re all aware that it’s a business and are only wishing for his return.
