The Atlanta Braves acquired Matt Olson via trade with the Athletics in 2022, sending away several key prospects, including Shea Langeliers, in exchange for the 32-year-old first baseman. However, things could have gone much differently several years ago, as new reports reveal Atlanta initially pursued now-retired Anthony Rizzo first.
When Freddie Freeman decided to leave the Braves and sign a six-year, $162 million contract in the 2022 offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta was forced to search for a new first baseman. Rizzo was the first target the front office had in its sights, but neither side ever came close to an agreed deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
“The previously unreported twist is this: After Freeman’s agent, Casey Close, informed Atlanta they were out on his client during the post-lockout free-agent frenzy in March 2022, the Braves tried to sign another first baseman before acquiring Olson from the then-Oakland Athletics,” reported Rosenthal. “That first baseman, according to people familiar with both the team’s and player’s discussions, was Anthony Rizzo.
“The parties did not get close to a deal,” continued Rosenthal. “The Braves, who do not give players opt-outs, declined to offer Rizzo the kind of contract he received from the New York Yankees — two years, $32 million, with an opt-out after the first year. The team’s preference, according to a person close to Rizzo, was to sign him for one year.”
Rosenthal also explains how the Braves had an internal discussion after swinging and missing on Anthony Rizzo, that the best options moving forward were either to keep Adam Duvall as the first baseman for the 2022 campaign, or search for another big name, but in the trade market. The franchise decided to pursue a trade, which led to Matt Olson joining the club that offseason.
In the end, it appears each team, the Braves, Yankees, and Athletics, even, got what they wanted. Atlanta still managed to land a superstar first baseman who remains with the team today. New York ended up getting three full seasons with Anthony Rizzo, and the Athletics got Shea Langeliers out of the deal, who is emerging as one of the league’s best catchers.
The Atlanta Braves acquired Matt Olson via trade with the Athletics in 2022, sending away several key prospects, including Shea Langeliers, in exchange for the 32-year-old first baseman. However, things could have gone much differently several years ago, as new reports reveal Atlanta initially pursued now-retired Anthony Rizzo first.