In March 2022, the Atlanta Braves made a bold move by acquiring first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics and signing him to an eight-year, $168 million deal. This move signaled the end of Freddie Freeman’s 12-season stint with the Braves, as he later joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson had mixed feelings about the transition. While he recognized Olson’s talent and the positive impact he could bring to the team, Swanson also lamented Freeman’s departure. He shared, “If there was anyone to play first base besides Freddie, it would be Matt Olson. But part of you feels disappointed and frustrated that Freddie won’t be here anymore.”
Swanson stressed the importance of avoiding direct comparisons between Olson and Freeman, highlighting their individuality as players. He explained, “We need to move away from comparing one player to another. Every player is unique, and we all connect differently with teammates and serve different roles in the clubhouse.”
In his debut season with Atlanta, Olson proved his value by starting all 162 regular-season games, setting a career-high with 44 doubles, and recording 34 home runs and 103 RBIs.
Swanson also honored Freeman’s legacy with the Braves, suggesting his iconic No. 5 jersey should be retired: “The simplest way to put it is that No. 5 should never be worn again.”
This period represented a pivotal moment for the Braves, as they bid farewell to a long-time leader and adjusted to the arrival of a new star.
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