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ATLANTA BRAVES
MLB

Braves acquire slugging 1B Matt Olson, filling spot of free agent Freddie Freeman

The Atlanta Braves have made a decision about the franchise's future at first base. And it doesn't include five-time All-Star and 2020 National League MVP Freddie Freeman.

The Braves acquired slugger Matt Olson from the Oakland A's for a package of four prospects, headlined by center fielder Cristian Pache, the team announced Monday.

Olson, 27, is a two-time Gold Glover at first base who made his first AL All-Star team last season. He hit .271 with 39 home runs and 111 RBI for the A's, while finishing eighth in the AL MVP voting.

He was born in Atlanta and grew up in suburban Gwinnett County.

First baseman Matt Olson set career highs in batting average, home runs, RBI and runs scored last season in Oakland.

The acquisition of Olson almost certainly takes the Braves out of the bidding for Freeman's services.

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Freeman, 32, was a second-round pick by the Braves in the 2007 draft and helped lead Atlanta to its first World Series title in 26 years last fall, hitting .300 with 31 home runs, 83 RBI and a league-leading 120 runs scored. However, he became a free agent at the end of the season.

Besides Pache, the A's received right-handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes, plus catcher Shea Langeliers in the trade.

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