Braves: 3 times Alex Anthopoulos thrived on the hot stove, and 1 time he got burnt

1 time Braves’ Alex Anthopoulos thrived on hot stove: Matt Olson trade

The Matt Olson trade was a bittersweet pill to swallow for every Braves fan. On one hand, it spelled the end of Freddie Freeman’s time with the franchise. A five-time All-Star and Braves cornerstone, Freeman was the best player on a championship team. Letting him leave was inherently controversial.

That said, the fanbase quickly moved on to greener pastures with Olson. While Freeman is still the superior talent, Olson provides much of the same pop in the batter’s box and a deft presence with his glove at first base. He’s also younger and cheaper, which was the driving force behind Anthopoulos’ ruthless, business-first decision.

Any good GM has to be willing to sacrifice reputation and sentiment to make the best move available to them. Freeman was absolutely beloved in Atlanta. He still is. He won the damn World Series that season, a crowning achievement for an entire generation’s favorite player. And Anthopoulos sent him packing.

Olson has been absolutely sensational for Atlanta, slashing .239/.332/.499 with 60 home runs and 165 RBIs across 242 games and 1,060 plate appearances. He is a centerpiece of Atlanta’s powerful lineup and an integral defensive presence. He may never quite capture the same citywide adoration as Freeman, but he’s very much in position to deliver a championship of his own to Atlanta.