Highest Paid Atlanta Braves Players in 2024: #1 Matt Olson - $22 million
Matt Olson has entrenched himself as an all-time Atlanta Brave after two seasons. Last year he set franchise records in home runs (54) and runs batted in (139). The Matt Olson acquisition helped soften the blow of saying goodbye to Freddie Freeman. Entering his age-30 season, Olson could still have his best years ahead of him, which is saying a lot!
The trade for Olson was announced before Freddie Freeman's deal with the Dodgers in the offseason before 2022. For Braves fans, it meant it was time to say goodbye to Freddie, so it was bittersweet. Then, Atlanta announced they had also signed Matt Olson to an extension. The first base position was now locked up through 2029 with a club option for 2030.
2024 will be the first of six consecutive seasons in which he will earn $22 million per season. Outside of the franchise records he set last year, Olson finished fourth in MVP voting, earned an All-Star selection, and a Silver Slugger Award. Add him to the list of legitimate preseason MVP candidates on the Atlanta Braves. Don't forget, the two-time Glove Glove Award winner has 49 career defensive runs saved over eight major league seasons.