Atlanta Braves signal Matt Olson to 8-year, $168 million deal by way of 2029 season

The Atlanta Braves have signed newly acquired All-Star first baseman Matt Olson to an eight-year, $168 million deal that runs by way of the 2029 season, it was introduced Tuesday.

The deal additionally features a $20 million membership possibility for 2030.

The World Collection champion Braves acquired Olson from the Oakland Athletics on Monday in exchange for four players, together with outfielder Cristian Pache.

Olson will make $15 million in 2022, $21 million in 2023 after which $22 million per season over the rest of the deal. He additionally has agreed to donate $1.68 million to the Atlanta Braves Basis.

Olson, 27, is a two-time Gold Glove winner with a .252 profession common, 142 homers and an .859 OPS over six seasons. He hit 39 homers and drove in 111 runs final season, ending eighth in AL MVP voting.

“Clearly, I do know Atlanta,” Olson stated Monday. “It is an incredible place, World Collection champs, my hometown. If there was one place to go and depart right here, that is the place to do it. I am enthusiastic about it.”

The acquisition of Olson by the Braves probably seems to finish the tenure of veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman, who turned a free agent after the season.

Freeman was the 2020 NL MVP and a five-time All-Star over 12 seasons with Atlanta, together with as a veteran chief on final 12 months’s championship staff.