'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Atlanta Braves made a significant investment by securing first baseman Matt Olson before the 2022 season, signing him to an eight-year, $168 million contract extension.
The deal ensures Olson will remain with the Braves through the 2029 season, with a $20 million team option for 2030. This contract makes Olson one of the highest-paid players on the Braves roster, with an annual average salary of $21 million.
Trending
Olson’s arrival in Atlanta came after a trade that saw the Braves acquire him from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for several promising prospects. The move signaled the end of Freddie Freeman’s tenure with the Braves.
Matt Olson, an Atlanta native, saw the opportunity to play for his hometown and to join one of the MLB’s strongest teams as too good to pass up.
Growing up in the Atlanta area, Olson had long been connected to the Braves through his relationship with former players such as Chipper Jones and Brian McCann, who were also represented by his agent.
A look into Matt Olson’s 2023 season
In his second season with the Atlanta Braves, Olson continues to have peculiar and intriguing performances. Olson's 2023 season has been marked by extremes in strikeouts, walks, and home runs. He has been swinging and missing at a higher rate, with a whiff rate of 34.3 percent, the highest of his career.
Despite the increased strikeouts, Olson has managed to maintain strong offensive numbers. He leads the Braves in home runs (18) and RBIs (45), with a .848 OPS and 126 OPS+, which are well above average.
Additionally, Olson has shown good plate discipline, drawing 45 walks this season with a walk rate of 15.1 percent. Although his performances are unorthodox, Olson's contributions make him a valuable asset to the Braves lineup, where he bats second.
If he maintains his current pace, Olson is on track to surpass his previous strikeout record and also hit a significant number of home runs and RBIs.
Despite the peculiarities, the Atlanta Braves rely on Olson's offensive production and appreciate his unique abilities.
MORE ON THE ATLANTA BRAVES:
- When former Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis remarked on Houston Astros cheating scandal
- When Chipper Jones blasted Houston Astros calling sign-stealing scandal a disgrace to stellar talent
- MLB 2023: 5 players Atlanta Braves could target before the trade deadline
