Atlanta Braves’ Odds After Matt Olson Trade

Atlanta Braves' Odds After Matt Olson Trade

The Atlanta Braves will not go quietly into the good night after winning the 2021 World Series. The New York Mets have made themselves into a real contender by acquiring Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt alongside Jacob deGrom to give them the strongest rotation in the National League. Atlanta has countered with offense this offseason and dealt four top prospects to the Oakland Athletics to land first baseman Matt Olson. That move has dropped the Braves to 12-1 to win the World Series.

Olson Gives Atlanta's Lineup Another Big Bat

This is a return home for Matt Olson. The former Oakland first baseman was born in Atlanta, and he went to high school in Lilburn, Georgia. Olson has been one of the best hitters in the American League over the last few seasons, and he is in the prime of his career at 28. He posted a .911 OPS with 39 home runs last season en route to his first All-Star Game appearance.

Olson’s acquisition highlights that Atlanta’s front office is committed to winning now. The Braves have signed Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies to deals that are extremely club friendly, and Olson has two more years under club control on his contract. Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, Travis d’Arnaud, and Marcell Ozuna are back too, giving Atlanta the core of its lineup for at least one more year.

Bringing in Olson likely means the end to Freddie Freeman’s tenure with the Braves though. Freeman has been exceptional over the last few seasons, but Atlanta has shown an unwillingness to re-sign him in free agency given his likely price tag.

Oakland Is Clearly Rebuilding Now

The Athletics don’t have the longest World Series odds on the board, but they are likely to begin the season at over 100-1 at this point. This is Oakland’s second big trade in three days, as they sent starting pitcher Chris Bassitt to the Mets for two minor league prospects.

Billy Beane has done an exceptional job with the penny-pinching franchise over the years, and Oakland has posted a winning record in three of the last four seasons. However, there isn’t a lot of talent left in the locker room after these trades. Matt Chapman and Sean Manaea are both under arbitration, so they could be the next players we see traded. Minnesota is reportedly interested in both Manaea and Frankie Montas, while Chapman could be on his way to Philadelphia according to the rumor mill.