1 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: Hello, everyone, Welcome back to the her Territory Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: your host, Brad Rowland. This is going to be our 3 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: first ever pre recorded episode because we can. I'm joined 4 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:34,159 Speaker 1: on today's podcast by Scott Coleman for an evergreen episode 5 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: because this player is not going to go anywhere, I 6 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: would say, unfortunately for some who don't like it very much. 7 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 1: But how are you, sir? Before we dive into Matt 8 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:42,919 Speaker 1: Olsen on this podcast? What's going on? 9 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 2: Hello Brad, Hello to one of matt Olsen's most famous 10 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 2: high school alumnus. I would put you ahead of Matt Olsen. 11 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 2: I don't know if you're ahead of Jeff frankcoor. 12 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: You're the only one. You're the only person that thinks 13 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: that I'm ahead of Mattelsen in anything. Yes, just to 14 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: get that, get this out of the way, I did 15 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: go to say high schools. Madelson. We do not know 16 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 1: each other. We've never met other than I covered the 17 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 1: Braves a couple of times in a round. But he 18 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: doesn't know who I am. We have no relationship whatsoever. 19 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 1: Me and Jeffryan cor have known each other for a 20 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,400 Speaker 1: long time. Matt Olsen's much younger than I am, better 21 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,040 Speaker 1: looking than I am richer than I am, et cetera, 22 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:18,960 Speaker 1: et cetera, but we do have that connection. 23 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:23,119 Speaker 2: I would like to see Matt Olson host not just one, 24 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 2: but two podcasts year round, Atlanta Braves Atlanta. 25 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 1: Hawks, two award winning podcasts. That's right, that's right. 26 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 2: And we are just waiting on our twenty million dollars 27 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:37,399 Speaker 2: a year podcast deal and then Brad, it really will 28 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 2: even out. 29 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, us on the Kelsey's should be getting the same 30 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: money to do podcasts. Okay, so this is the second 31 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 1: one of these we've done. So you and I, in 32 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: another dead period, recorded the Orlando RCIA Slash Shortstop kind 33 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:54,600 Speaker 1: of player capsule episode. We've teased a little bit throughout 34 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: the season off season so far. We'll do one for 35 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: every position probably at some point along the way, right 36 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 1: and first base is one. We went back and forth 37 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:03,280 Speaker 1: whether we were gonna do first base with third base 38 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 1: because those are the two safest ones that like, they're 39 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: just they're just not gonna change. Medalson and Austin Riley 40 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:11,079 Speaker 1: are not gonna go anywhere. But it's Christmas week because 41 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 1: you're gonna listen to this podcast most likely, and Medalson 42 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 1: is not only healthy, he's good, he's well paid. He 43 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 1: also is a a player that they're really invested in, 44 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: et cetera, et cetera. Like he's not gonna be going anywhere, 45 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 1: it's pretty safe. And he also plays every ending of 46 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: every game basically, So it's like, all right, our first 47 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 1: base capsule is basically just madd Olsen capsule. So just yeah, 48 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: that's what it's gonna be. Could we mention at some 49 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: point along the way on this episode, Scott that like, okay, 50 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: what happens Medlson gets hurt? We will probably have that 51 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:48,239 Speaker 1: discussion for a little with thirty seconds, But other than that, 52 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: it's about Medelson and he's he's pretty good. It's gotta 53 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: have to say. So, I don't know how you want 54 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 1: to dive in here, but do you want to just 55 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 1: kind of talk about medalson broadly speaking first and we'll 56 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: kind of dig in too. You know, he's got, you 57 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: got the contract, you got last season, you got his 58 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 1: defense actually had a nice little uptick this year. Projections, 59 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 1: et cetera. Where are you at with these with the 60 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:14,079 Speaker 1: Madilson experience and how that is maybe difficult to separate 61 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: from the discussion online about Meddlsen perhaps, but I'll leave 62 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: it to you to start this off. 63 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, let's let's just talk about Matt Olson 64 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 2: last season. 65 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: You know, it's weird. 66 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 2: I mean, he had a one to seventeen WRC plus, 67 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 2: which was top ten among first basemen in the league. 68 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 2: He hit twenty nine home runs, which was third among 69 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 2: first basemen in the league. And he put up a 70 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 2: two point six roar, which was seventh among his first 71 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 2: base peers. 72 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: And those numbers are fine that they're not great. 73 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 2: This is a guy a year removed from being a 74 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 2: legitimate MVP candidate in twenty twenty three. But you know, 75 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 2: one seventeen w orc plus and the home runs and 76 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 2: the defense was really good. He actually won the Fielding 77 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 2: Bible Award for defense at first base. And you know, 78 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 2: in two and a half war, it's not great, but 79 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 2: it's also not terrible by any means. And you know, 80 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 2: first base is interesting right now in Major League baseball. 81 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 2: I think, like you know, back in the day, or 82 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 2: we'll call it your older brothers, major league baseball, you know, 83 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 2: first base was like one of the premium positions. You 84 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 2: had a ton of guys who just hit the crap 85 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 2: out of the baseball and first base is kind of 86 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 2: dipped off a bit in recent years, and pretty clearly 87 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: Medalson at worst is a top five first baseman, and 88 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:34,600 Speaker 2: I think you can make a pretty strong argument he's 89 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 2: even better than that. 90 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,479 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean there are plenty of metrics that would 91 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:41,279 Speaker 1: say you he might be the second best first baseman 92 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 1: in the league. Let's just get this out of the 93 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: way now, Scott. Unfortunately, the best first baseman in the 94 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: league is the guy that Bricks had before Medalson, which 95 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: changes the way he's discussed, which is not fair at 96 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: all to him, which is always something I want to 97 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: point out, and I think it's because I cover players 98 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: and cover sports in person and then going to locker 99 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,479 Speaker 1: rooms and things like. I think it's important to note 100 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 1: these guys are like humans, and it's not Medilson's fault. 101 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 1: The he's not Freddy Freeman. Like. That's not nothing new 102 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 1: with Medalson. They hired madd Olsen quote unquote, They've traded 103 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 1: for him to do a job, and he's been quite 104 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 1: good at his job since arriving in Atlanta. It's been 105 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 1: it consisted a little bit. The one season was incredible, 106 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 1: the other two have just been fine. Et cetera. Fined 107 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 1: to good by the way, even his down five season 108 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:25,600 Speaker 1: is still really quite good, which you did a good 109 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: job laying out where Just a point of thought about 110 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: Freddy Freeman anymore, like it's just that it's water under 111 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 1: the bridge. It happened, It's unfortunate. I think he should 112 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: have stayed in Atlanta forever. All these things we've been 113 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 1: on the record about this becover on our old podcast. 114 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: There was a mess of negotiation. He fired his agents, 115 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,159 Speaker 1: like blame, placed to blame wherever you want to place 116 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 1: to blame on that. I would encourage you not to 117 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 1: place it all on the braves. At least give some 118 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: of it to Freddy Slash's agent side. It's not a 119 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: one unilateral decision. But that out of the way. Medilson 120 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 1: is really good and we'll see how good he is 121 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 1: this next season. But yeah, I think that you could 122 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 1: very reasonably look at Madelson's profile and say the only 123 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: first baseman in baseball that you would rather have, it's 124 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: freadit foreman, like you could there are other guys too, 125 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:13,840 Speaker 1: You might You might take Bryce Harper's as a bull 126 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: tip first baseman. Now, Bryce Harper is really good, So 127 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 1: if you want to say Bryce Harper totally understandable. There's 128 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: some other guys too, but he's definitely in the top five. 129 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: I think it's not even that's not even like us 130 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:24,840 Speaker 1: being Homer's Like, if you look at this profile, that's 131 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: where he is. Was he that? Was he that good 132 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:30,039 Speaker 1: this year? No, he was seventh in baseball and war 133 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: but that's one season after he was last. The year 134 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 1: before he was number two, but only because Freddy was incredible, 135 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 1: Like he had an MVP level season in twenty twenty three. 136 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: I think that's been forgotten because a his teammate won 137 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: the MVP and deservingly so, and Ronald of Kunya and 138 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 1: Matt finished fourth in the voting. But Matt Olsen's twenty 139 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: three season would have won MVP in several seasons, so 140 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,559 Speaker 1: he's capable of that. He's also capable of what happened 141 00:06:57,600 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: this last year, where he was a two and a 142 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 1: half three win player, really good. I would call him 143 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 1: mad Olson a star. I mean, I don't think that 144 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 1: that's hyperbole. You could have been of whether he's a 145 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: superstar or not. He's not Shoyo Tommy, he's not Aaron Judge, 146 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: but he's a star. Level player, so is Riley, the 147 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,679 Speaker 1: Hawks of the Hawks, the brace of plenty of stars, 148 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 1: but Matt Olson is one of them. And I think 149 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 1: that even last year, like he had this slow start, 150 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: and it's not we won't pars every month of the season, 151 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: but I think if if you, if you start his 152 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: start his campaign in like on like February first, sorry 153 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 1: on like Mark May first of last season, his numbers 154 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: jump quite a bit. Like it's he gets into that 155 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: like one, you know, one twenty five ish uh WRC 156 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 1: plus and you know, et cetera, et cetera. So yeah, 157 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 1: it is what it is. But he was good last season, 158 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: even if he was not great last season. 159 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 2: And on the whole, So Matt Olson's three seasons with 160 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 2: the Braves, he has a one thirty three w RC 161 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 2: plus really. 162 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: Good, really really good. 163 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: And in that same time period since the Braves traded Olsen, 164 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 2: he has a twelve point two WAR which is second 165 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: best among all major league first basemen. So again, man, 166 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 2: if Matt Olsen replaced literally anyone but Freddie Freeman, I 167 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 2: think we would maybe subconsciously think of even more of 168 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 2: Matt Olsen. And I mean I can speak for myself 169 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 2: and I think this podcast that we fully acknowledge Matt 170 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 2: Olsen is a really, really good baseball player. And the 171 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 2: fact is he has five more years on that deal 172 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 2: and the Braves are going to need him. And I 173 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 2: think it's fair to say the Braves need more out 174 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 2: of Matt Olsen next year because while he was totally 175 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 2: fine this past season with a one seventeen WORC plus, 176 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 2: we know and have seen firsthand that Matt Elson can 177 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 2: be even better than that. 178 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 1: And if I mean. 179 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 2: He's been a streaky hitter too, I mean his hot streaks. Man, 180 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 2: he can single handedly carry that lineup when he's going 181 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 2: at his best. 182 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, and look on Matt's front about like the last 183 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: three seasons overall, It's a good point to bring up 184 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: because I think it's it's smarter to holistically look, like, 185 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: you know, was Heason's a big sample in baseball. I'm 186 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:13,079 Speaker 1: not saying that it's not. That's part of the appeal 187 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:14,840 Speaker 1: to baseball. It's such a big sample as the season 188 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 1: goes along. But if you do about the three years, 189 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,160 Speaker 1: you about even at this time in Oakland, like this 190 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:22,440 Speaker 1: is not a new thing, Like he's not an unproven player. 191 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 1: He's in fact, he's very very proven. I'll talking about 192 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 1: later on with his durability, but the bat ball profile 193 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:30,199 Speaker 1: is really good. Last year, it was not as good 194 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 1: as it was in twenty twenty three, so it's not 195 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: like he just got unlucky this year compared to the 196 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 1: previous year. He had a uniquely awesome batted ball and 197 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 1: production season in twenty twenty three. Both of those things 198 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 1: fell last year. But I think, actually, if you look 199 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 1: at the bat of ball data, he should have been 200 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 1: a little bit better than he was last year, which 201 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: encourages me. I think that he's still hitting the ball 202 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: really hard, he has massive power, he takes walks, et cetera, 203 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 1: et cetera. So like I am encouraged by that overall profile. 204 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 1: And yeah, we could leave it there, but I think 205 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,679 Speaker 1: that you know, they we agree I think on that 206 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:06,840 Speaker 1: front about him the Braves needing more from Matt Olsen, 207 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 1: that's one hundred percent true, and it's the same for Riley. 208 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 1: It's the same for really everyone in their lineup last year. 209 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 1: I mean, other than Marcelo Zuna. I think I think 210 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 1: you and I would probably agree that all their stars 211 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,200 Speaker 1: maybe you could say Michael Harris and definitely Azuna, but 212 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 1: everybody else that they have. It's a star level player 213 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: was not as good as they often or usually would 214 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 1: project to be. Riley wasn't as good. Also wasn't as good, 215 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: Ozzy wasn't as good, Ronald wasn't there and wasn't as 216 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 1: good even before he got hurt, like Sew Murphy, all 217 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: those guys from star level players to some to some 218 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: to some renowned. So while that statement does apply to 219 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 1: med Elsen, for sure, they have to have him be better. 220 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 1: It's a it's also a collective which is not to 221 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: go back to the well so much here, Scott. But 222 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: that's why the was so vexing last year because nobody 223 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: other than Azuna had a good year. It was like, 224 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: am the odds of like you have eight seven or 225 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 1: eight stars that all those guys have bad years at 226 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,560 Speaker 1: the same time. It's kind of tough, but it happened. 227 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:02,840 Speaker 2: It was unbelieve that basically everyone in the lineup had 228 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 2: such a down year other than Ozuna. And you know, anecdotally, 229 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 2: I did not do a deep dive on where Matt 230 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 2: Olsen hit the baseball last season, but just anecdotally from 231 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: doing a lot of podcasts and talking about the games 232 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:19,680 Speaker 2: a lot it felt like Matt just missed a handful 233 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:23,480 Speaker 2: of baseballs, balls that were two feet before the wall, 234 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 2: or balls that bounced a foot below the top of 235 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 2: the wall, and if they go another foot they're a 236 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,880 Speaker 2: home run, but instead they were a double, you know, 237 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 2: one that's baseball. It's amazing how just a couple of 238 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 2: plate appearances over six months can be the difference between 239 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 2: a good season and a great season. 240 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:41,320 Speaker 1: You know. 241 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 2: It's also probably fair to say that Matt Olsen has 242 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 2: impacted more than most of his peers by the dead 243 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 2: and baseball. Statistically speaking, it is a proven fact that 244 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 2: the baseballs were nerved last year, they were not nearly 245 00:11:56,440 --> 00:12:00,160 Speaker 2: what they were in prior years. And while all every 246 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 2: player has to use the same baseball, a guy like Olson, 247 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 2: who hits for so much power he elevates and lifts 248 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 2: the ball a ton, if the balls are naturally not 249 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:11,439 Speaker 2: caring as well as they have in prior years, it's 250 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 2: probably going to impact him more than a player who 251 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 2: maybe relies a little bit more on speed and has 252 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 2: a higher ground ball rate, because obviously that that's a 253 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 2: different type of trajectory on a baseball than when you're 254 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 2: trying to hit it. 255 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 1: Four hundred and twenty five feet down the line. Yeah, 256 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: I have a look at this about Matt's projected home runs, 257 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 1: and stat guy says, the thing where you can actually 258 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 1: do it like have his same profile of bat of balls, 259 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: put them in a different ballpark, and he's there's a 260 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: few ballparks where he would have hit more than forty 261 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: home runs last year. Any hit tory nine, Like if 262 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 1: you play it in Chicago, they said his production would 263 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,679 Speaker 1: have been forty three home runs forty in Philadelphia, for instance. 264 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 1: There's something that actually have less too, like if it 265 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:54,079 Speaker 1: was Kansas City. I think he goes down to like 266 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,640 Speaker 1: twenty in the mid twenty somewhere, So it's always a 267 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 1: little bit Varian's there. But I think that like a lot, 268 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 1: he's a lot of long home runs as well, But 269 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: also there was some flexibility there. I think his expected 270 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: number was like maybe thirty. Issue wasn't like it was 271 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 1: crazy crazy low, but it was still a good power 272 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:11,720 Speaker 1: season generally speaking. 273 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 2: So let me ask you this quickly, Brad, just yeah, 274 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,359 Speaker 2: all right, so matd had a one seventeen WRC plus. 275 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:20,720 Speaker 2: I think I know your answer here, but let me 276 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 2: ask over under In twenty twenty five, over under, we'll 277 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:27,359 Speaker 2: say one twenty WRC plus. 278 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: Uh over. I think you know Matt's career WRC plus 279 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:37,079 Speaker 1: is one thirty three, and that that takes an account 280 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:40,080 Speaker 1: part of his rookie season as well since he came, 281 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: like since he became a full time, a full time guy. 282 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:45,079 Speaker 1: It's ely's still the case, but going into last year 283 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 1: he took out last year it was it's actually one 284 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:52,719 Speaker 1: thirty six. So he's only had three seasons under one 285 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 1: twenty and one of them was the was the shortened 286 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 1: COVID season. So the smart money is is on the over. 287 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,720 Speaker 1: I think on that you could have made r on 288 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 1: me instead of one twenty five. I think I still 289 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 1: might have gone over to be honest, when he gets 290 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 1: a one thirty, it gets to be I think I 291 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 1: would project somewhere in the one thirty on the one 292 00:14:09,760 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 1: thirty range for Matt Olson as an over under on 293 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 1: his on his w rscity plus like Steamer has him 294 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: at one twenty seven right now, Like that's about kind 295 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 1: of what I mean. Maybe I probably lean over on 296 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 1: that too, but somewhere in that you know, one thirty 297 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: ish range, but with the upside to go, like we've 298 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 1: seen him have a one sixty one and I want 299 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 1: sixty four w rscity plus seasons. His range is probably 300 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: what one ten to one sixty five, one seventy, Like, 301 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 1: that's a pretty wide range, but that's probably a realistic one. Yeah. 302 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 2: I mean again, we have seen Matt Olsen's highs are 303 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 2: very very high. M hm, I would be pretty surprised 304 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,280 Speaker 2: if he's worse than what he was this past season. 305 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 2: And and just one other just cool note that I 306 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 2: dug up when talking about Matt Eilson here. So Matt 307 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 2: Olson now has appeared in one one hundred and sixty 308 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 2: two games all three years with the Braves, which is 309 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 2: not a small thing. I mean, being available and being 310 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 2: healthy is a big part of being a professional athlete. 311 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 2: Dating back to twenty twenty one, so pre trade, Matt 312 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 2: Olsen has now appeared in six hundred and twenty baseball 313 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 2: games without missing one. And not only did he play 314 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 2: all one sixty two this past season, but he played 315 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 2: like nine innings of one sixty two basically every single night. 316 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 2: That you know. That's impressive. And not only that, but Brad, 317 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 2: you probably know this already, so I'm not even gonna 318 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,280 Speaker 2: bother quizzing you because you probably read through our our 319 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 2: document of notes. But currently Matt Olsen's streak of six 320 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,200 Speaker 2: hundred and twenty straight games played. I'm gonna give the 321 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 2: listener a moment here to say where does that streak 322 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 2: rank in the history of baseball? 323 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:55,479 Speaker 1: So again, six hundred. 324 00:15:55,280 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 2: Twenty games, we are gonna go with. Wait for it, 325 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 2: all right, got your answer. It is the twentieth longest 326 00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:07,320 Speaker 2: streak of consecutive games played in the history of Major 327 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 2: League Baseball that goes back like, you know, all time 328 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 2: baseball history. Guy's playing in like nineteen oh four. And 329 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 2: if Matt were to play in all one sixty two 330 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 2: again next season, that would move him up to thirteenth 331 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 2: all time. In his current streak to play all one 332 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 2: sixty two, it's really impressive for Matt that he keeps 333 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 2: himself in such physical condition that he is able to 334 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 2: go out there and play every single day. It's you know, 335 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 2: he's a first baseman. He's not a running back in 336 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 2: the NFL, where he just gets punished every single week. 337 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 2: There's not a ton of physicality that comes standing at 338 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:47,520 Speaker 2: first base. But again, for a good player, the Braves 339 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 2: are gonna want Ulsen in their lineup every single night, 340 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 2: And I thought that was a cool note that if 341 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 2: you're twentieth in the history of baseball in anything, that's 342 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 2: that's pretty cool. Yeah, it's the longest active streak by 343 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 2: a lot, which is not given what you just said 344 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 2: about the history of it all. 345 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:05,159 Speaker 1: Yeah, he could be in the top what fifteen if 346 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:07,639 Speaker 1: he does it the game this year. I am just 347 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:10,360 Speaker 1: to be consistent from our old podcast. I think it's 348 00:17:10,359 --> 00:17:11,679 Speaker 1: probably a good idea to give a guy a day 349 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:13,639 Speaker 1: off every once in a while. Said the same thing 350 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:15,040 Speaker 1: with Freddy Freeman back in the day, because Friday and 351 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 1: everone take a day off either. It's kind of ironic 352 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: those guys are both that way. But Alson also hasn't 353 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 1: really had any that we're aware of, like nagging injuries 354 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:25,919 Speaker 1: like that, you know, knock on wood, of course, but 355 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: you know, I feel like Freddy always had something he 356 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 1: was dealing with. There was a season where he had 357 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:30,639 Speaker 1: the wrist and it was like he was, uh, that 358 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:33,040 Speaker 1: was the old the old paper bag whatever it was, 359 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 1: paper newspaper, what newspaper. So I'm sure Olson's been like 360 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 1: everyone gets hurt during the season, it's just whether you 361 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 1: can keep playing or not. And I'm sure he's been 362 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 1: below one hundred percent many times. That's what has to 363 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:48,160 Speaker 1: happen when you keep played every game. But uh, yeah, 364 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 1: it's a it's a very impressive streak. I like, I 365 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 1: knew he played every game for a while, but not 366 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:55,959 Speaker 1: to the extent that you would put out there. And 367 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,640 Speaker 1: I don't think he's gonna be going after cal Ripken 368 00:17:57,680 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: if I had to guess, because that record is probably 369 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:02,120 Speaker 1: not gonna ever be broken either. But speaking of Brooker records, 370 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,600 Speaker 1: but it is, Uh, it's impressive, and the durability is 371 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 1: helpful because look it, being out there every day has 372 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,879 Speaker 1: value if you're a star player and you could be 373 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: consistently available. It helps everybody else in the lineup. It 374 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 1: helps your manager, it helps your bench guys, et cetera, 375 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 1: et cetera. And we joked about this already about how 376 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: this is going to be basically be the preview or 377 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:29,919 Speaker 1: review or whatever you want to say, because he's the 378 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 1: only guy that plays there. It's funny in the Fangrass 379 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,119 Speaker 1: Death projections, which I look at a little bit before these, 380 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 1: they actually give fourteen played appearances to Luke Williams because 381 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:42,639 Speaker 1: they just can't put one person's name. They have to 382 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 1: put someone there that's not matt Olsen. But every other 383 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 1: team that I'm seeing right now, everybody else in baseball 384 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 1: other than matt Olsen has at least three. EVERYBOE team 385 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,640 Speaker 1: has at least three players getting played appearances at first 386 00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 1: base on the projection, and the Braves have two and 387 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:00,720 Speaker 1: the backup is look way, so it's not even gonna 388 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 1: be there. Like, Okay, let's ask a question now. It's 389 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: actually relevant to this conversation. If matt Olsen were to 390 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: get injured for three weeks, what would they do at 391 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:18,159 Speaker 1: first base? And I think the answer is I have 392 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 1: two inches, I'll ask you. 393 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:19,399 Speaker 2: I want to. 394 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 1: I won't lead the witness. What would you like to 395 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:24,520 Speaker 1: see them do if they're fully healthy everywhere else, granted, 396 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:26,479 Speaker 1: what would you let them do at first base if 397 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:28,600 Speaker 1: Maddilson weren't actually be out for more than a couple days. 398 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 2: Great question, I would guess, And my preference would be 399 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 2: for Marcelo Zuna to grab a first baseman's mitt and 400 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:42,880 Speaker 2: pray that that night. There's very little activity at first 401 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 2: base other than Marcel putting his foot on the bag 402 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 2: and catching the throw from whoever, that would be probably 403 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 2: the best option for the Braves. But I mean, the 404 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:57,040 Speaker 2: short answer is, if Matdelson gets seriously hurt, this team 405 00:19:57,080 --> 00:19:59,320 Speaker 2: has probably a big problem on its hands. 406 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: That is the answer I would say is, Well, the 407 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 1: other option would be Austin Riley going to first base, 408 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:07,560 Speaker 1: but then you have a third base problem all of 409 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:10,440 Speaker 1: a sudden. So I think that the simplest, easiest way 410 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:12,080 Speaker 1: if you can trust Marcell to catch the ball at 411 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 1: first base, is to put in there. They have tried 412 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,440 Speaker 1: that in the spring, like Marcel always takes some reps 413 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 1: at first base and spring training for this reason. Basically, like, 414 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 1: all right, Marcel, we just might need you to hold 415 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: it down for a couple of weeks at this position 416 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 1: and then and then that way you could just rotate 417 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,240 Speaker 1: dhs and that makes your life a little bit easier. 418 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: You don't want to have to put rally there, like 419 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 1: because number one, Riley's a fine third basement. There's always 420 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:35,120 Speaker 1: been the debate of how good he is, but he's 421 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 1: fine there. So you can if you have a fine 422 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: third baseman, as long as it's fine at the third base, 423 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:41,199 Speaker 1: leave him at third base. By the end of the 424 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 1: By the end of the Riley deal, he might be 425 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:44,200 Speaker 1: a first basement and that might be kind of a 426 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:46,879 Speaker 1: question that we talk about in five years or whatever. 427 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: But at the moment, he's a third baseman and that's 428 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 1: where you should stay. So I should want to ask 429 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,480 Speaker 1: a question because like, hey, the math is, I'm not 430 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:55,760 Speaker 1: saying this to pick on Matt. Who's my guy. He 431 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: might get hurt at some point, man Like guys just 432 00:20:57,760 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 1: don't tend to never get ever, ever, ever get hurt. 433 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,280 Speaker 1: And maybe he won't again this year, but he does, 434 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:03,480 Speaker 1: marcell In. 435 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:08,080 Speaker 2: And unless your DH is a former first baseman, the 436 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:10,959 Speaker 2: fact is, like no team carries a backup first baseman. 437 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: No, not a pure one. There's no reason to right. 438 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 2: That's right, especially with the way that that you need 439 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:21,200 Speaker 2: a utility infielder. 440 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:22,919 Speaker 1: You need at least one outfielder. 441 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 2: Usually you have a speed type of guy off your 442 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 2: bench to steal a base in the ninth inning of 443 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:29,520 Speaker 2: a tie game, and then you have to have a 444 00:21:29,560 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 2: backup catcher. It's just tough. So the Braves are not exclusive. 445 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 2: If if they lose Matt Olsen, they're the only team 446 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 2: that wouldn't have a backup plan. But frankly, as we said, 447 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 2: I mean, if if Marcell could catch the baseball, they 448 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 2: I mean, obviously the bat plays more than well enough there, right, 449 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:48,480 Speaker 2: So but let's hope for another one sixty two from 450 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:52,480 Speaker 2: Matt and hopefully a better season than what he gave 451 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 2: the team last year, because when this team is at 452 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:58,080 Speaker 2: its best, Olsen and Riley in particular, in the. 453 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 1: Middle of the lineup, are really hitting the baseball. Yeah, 454 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:03,080 Speaker 1: for sure, I might have said that too, because if 455 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: you just need somebody to catch the ball, like you 456 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 1: have a backup infielder somewhere, like honestly, Luke Williams being 457 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,520 Speaker 1: there as funny on the projection, but something like that, 458 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: like for one day, you just throw your backup infielder there. 459 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:15,159 Speaker 1: You can play there, catch the ball. It's just that 460 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,520 Speaker 1: you need offensive first base Like that's not that's that's 461 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 1: a position where you tend to project you get some 462 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: offense from. So yeah, but you're right, no one carries 463 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:25,639 Speaker 1: that position for a reason. One more thing we'll kind 464 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 1: of wrap up with a little bit more of a 465 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: mini projection next year is the contract. So he has 466 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 1: five years and one hundred and ten million left on 467 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: the deal. It's twenty two million a year ain't no value. 468 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 1: They had a club outtion at the end of that 469 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:44,959 Speaker 1: for twenty million dollars. I wrote this down slage. I'll 470 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:49,280 Speaker 1: to say it. I feel extremely comfortable saying that it 471 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:51,719 Speaker 1: also was a free agent right now, even after a 472 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:56,520 Speaker 1: relatively down season, he would get more than this, especially 473 00:22:56,520 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 1: in this market that has been inflated? Does that? Is that? 474 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 1: Am I out of line with that? Knowing that I 475 00:23:02,040 --> 00:23:05,280 Speaker 1: am slightly partial to mister Olsen? Is that? Am I wrong? 476 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: Or am I? Am I safe? There? You think? Yeah, 477 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: you're not wrong, you are safe there? You know? 478 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:14,240 Speaker 2: It has been the only counterpoint I would make is 479 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 2: that the first base market this winter has been the 480 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:20,920 Speaker 2: only one that has not been like blowing away every 481 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:25,440 Speaker 2: projection imaginable. Sure, Christian Walker, who is really quite good, 482 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 2: former Brave Christian Walker for a hot minute. I think 483 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:32,439 Speaker 2: he was in like twenty seventeen with the Braves, and anyway, 484 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:35,080 Speaker 2: he's been great with the Diamondbacks. No, Walker just got 485 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:38,199 Speaker 2: three years and sixty million. Matt Olsen is clearly a 486 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,919 Speaker 2: better player and is younger than Walker, but like three. 487 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,280 Speaker 1: Years or four years too, like thirty four, Like he's 488 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 1: sneaky old. Yeah, he'll be thirty four. 489 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, Pete Alonso is not as good as Matt Olson, 490 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 2: although he is. I think Alonso's a top six first 491 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:55,440 Speaker 2: baseman in the game. No, Alonzo's market has not been great. 492 00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:58,639 Speaker 2: Teams have not necessarily wanted to commit themselves to the 493 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:02,880 Speaker 2: mega pay day that that Alonzo was looking for. But yes, 494 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:05,640 Speaker 2: I mean, if you gave Alex and Thopless the choice, 495 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 2: if you said, all right, Alex five years, one hundred 496 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:10,479 Speaker 2: and ten million dollars, do you want to keep this 497 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:14,320 Speaker 2: contract or not, it would be the fastest yes, imaginable. 498 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:16,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, And that's why I'm bringing it up. Really, there's 499 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:18,479 Speaker 1: somebody to action on him here, like they couldn't get 500 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 1: it if they want to. There's no option here. It's 501 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:22,199 Speaker 1: just that I think it's just kind of good to 502 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:23,880 Speaker 1: every once in a while come back to these deals 503 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:25,600 Speaker 1: with the Braves have signed that the long term deals, 504 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:28,440 Speaker 1: and say, hey, how's it looking now? And this deal 505 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:31,320 Speaker 1: still looks really good to me? Yep, And that's not 506 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: really Again, after last season, it would have looked even better, 507 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:36,600 Speaker 1: of course, because he'd been so good in twenty twenty three. 508 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:39,719 Speaker 1: But even after again a relatively down year for Matt Olsen, 509 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:42,120 Speaker 1: he earned that contract last year, even in a relatively 510 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 1: down season. It's I mean, five years is a long time, 511 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:49,160 Speaker 1: like bye bye last year. Will he be great? We'll 512 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 1: see you know, he'll be thirty five, like, that's not 513 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 1: it's not too old to contribute by any means. But 514 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:57,000 Speaker 1: in the meantime, though, I do, I do agree with you. 515 00:24:57,440 --> 00:24:58,760 Speaker 1: I don't know what he would get on the market, 516 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:00,440 Speaker 1: but it would be more than this, which is all 517 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:01,439 Speaker 1: that matters behind the Braves. 518 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 2: So you're reading my mind. I was going to say, 519 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:07,200 Speaker 2: if Matt Wilson was a free agent tomorrow, I would 520 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:09,840 Speaker 2: guess with him being thirty years old, he'll be thirty 521 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 2: one in the spring. I believe six years, one hundred 522 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:17,920 Speaker 2: and fifty million dollars, So six years and twenty five 523 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 2: million per I mean, that sounds fair to me. But 524 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 2: this free agent market has not been a fair one. 525 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:25,080 Speaker 1: So who knows. 526 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:27,840 Speaker 2: Maybe a team would give him seven years at thirty 527 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:30,480 Speaker 2: million dollars a year instead of twenty five and have 528 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:34,240 Speaker 2: to overpay. But the good news for the Braves is 529 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:38,240 Speaker 2: that five years and one ten is extremely valuable here 530 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 2: and one that I think the Braves deserve a lot 531 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:42,400 Speaker 2: of credit for getting a head out of I mean 532 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:44,399 Speaker 2: it was what like a day after the trade that 533 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 2: they announced the extension. A pretty savvy move by Anthopolis, 534 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:50,719 Speaker 2: as he had to pivot from moving on from a 535 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:53,560 Speaker 2: future first ballot Hall of Famer in Freddy Freeman. 536 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:56,159 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean you could compare it this way. I 537 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:58,359 Speaker 1: wouldn't necessarily do it because they're different positions, and you 538 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:00,040 Speaker 1: were right to point out the first base mark. It 539 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 1: is a little bit more tepid, but I think Matt 540 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:06,000 Speaker 1: Olsen is better than Willia Thomas at baseball, and Willia 541 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:09,800 Speaker 1: Donamas got seven for one eighty two this winter. Again, 542 00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: shortstop versus first base matters here. I think there's some 543 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 1: more value placed on Adamis because he was the only 544 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:18,119 Speaker 1: guy at that spot at shortstop. Everyone has to have 545 00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 1: a shortstop. But as far as just player equality and value, 546 00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:24,200 Speaker 1: I think Olson's probably a little bit better than Willia Damas, 547 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 1: and Willie got a lot more money than Matti is Ode, 548 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:29,239 Speaker 1: so I don't think you would have gotten that much. 549 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:30,960 Speaker 1: To be fair, I think your projection is about right. 550 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:33,080 Speaker 1: Six one sixty something like that would have been probably 551 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 1: what I would guess from d olsenon right now. But 552 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:36,960 Speaker 1: still that's more than what they owe him at this point, 553 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:39,040 Speaker 1: even though cold Austion could be if he's still good, 554 00:26:39,119 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 1: that's a cheap Fell option twenty million dollars at the 555 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 1: end of this. Yeah, a little bit of a flexibility 556 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 1: that Alex tends to like. Okay, it's Scott fours that off, 557 00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:50,040 Speaker 1: who already has a little bit on the over under 558 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:53,000 Speaker 1: projections for his WRC plus. But I have some projection 559 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:57,200 Speaker 1: system numbers for you. Steamer has Olsen at one twenty 560 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 1: seven versity plus zips is one twenty six op yes plus, 561 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:03,879 Speaker 1: so kind of in the same range there. And the 562 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: Panagraft's deep chart has the Braves number four in baseball 563 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:11,159 Speaker 1: at first base, and as we just covered, that's entirely 564 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:13,520 Speaker 1: mid Olsen. Basically, it's just like, hey, Matt Olsen is 565 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 1: right there. He's there behind the Dodgers, which is Freddy. 566 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:19,919 Speaker 1: They're behind uh vladimirger Ria Junior is ahead of him. 567 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:21,439 Speaker 1: I think I might have I think I might rather 568 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:24,400 Speaker 1: have my Olsen, honestly, but Land's upside is sky high, 569 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:26,680 Speaker 1: so I'm not quibbling with that. And the other one's 570 00:27:26,680 --> 00:27:29,359 Speaker 1: price Harper, who I mentioned before. If you want, if 571 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: you want to choose Byce Harper. I have no call 572 00:27:31,119 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 1: of that he's a superstar player. He didn't used to 573 00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:34,240 Speaker 1: be a first baseman, so he wasn't really in the 574 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 1: mix until recently. Now he is. So does that seem 575 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:37,160 Speaker 1: right to you? 576 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:37,320 Speaker 2: Like? 577 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:39,000 Speaker 1: I feel like that's what he is. He's a top 578 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:41,040 Speaker 1: five first baseman and it's a spot that the Braves 579 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:41,760 Speaker 1: don't to worry about. 580 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 2: Yeah it is. I mean, set it and forget it, 581 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 2: and probably set it and forget it every year between 582 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,600 Speaker 2: now and twenty twenty nine, maybe twenty thirty. 583 00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 1: That's the hope. 584 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, So hopefully continued health for Matt, hopefully and 585 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:00,600 Speaker 2: even better season offensively. And I mean I think Matt 586 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 2: Olsen would be the first one to tell you that 587 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:04,439 Speaker 2: he feels like he should be better than what he 588 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:07,080 Speaker 2: was this past season. And that says a lot when 589 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 2: a guy was still perfectly fine at first base and 590 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:12,560 Speaker 2: all of that. But you know, over under, I would 591 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:15,439 Speaker 2: Maybe I'm being a fan boy, but I would take 592 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:18,560 Speaker 2: the over on the one twenty seven w RC plus, 593 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 2: I think he bounces back. I think he will benefit 594 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:25,120 Speaker 2: from having just more healthy talent around him next season two. 595 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:28,760 Speaker 2: You know, I didn't, It's just spitballing, but maybe teams 596 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:31,280 Speaker 2: avoided matt Olsen a little bit more last year just 597 00:28:31,359 --> 00:28:34,280 Speaker 2: because there was not quite the depth and power that 598 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:38,080 Speaker 2: was in this lineup two years ago. And you know, 599 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:41,320 Speaker 2: I have a hard time seeing that deal really go sideways, 600 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:44,200 Speaker 2: even though five years guy in his thirties, all of 601 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 2: those caveats apply. I mean, really the last four or 602 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:50,120 Speaker 2: five seasons, Matt Olsen with Oakland and now Atlanta has 603 00:28:50,120 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 2: been a very good first baseman and basically nothing in 604 00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:56,320 Speaker 2: his profile to suggest that he is going to come down. 605 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,840 Speaker 1: From that anytime soon. Yeah, diversity plus projection from me 606 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:03,680 Speaker 1: of like in the one thirty range thirty five ish, 607 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:08,480 Speaker 1: Homer's slug around five hundred, like obviously upside beyond that, 608 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:10,520 Speaker 1: but that's kind of what I would project as of 609 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:13,800 Speaker 1: December or something for matt Olson. And yeah, I think 610 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:16,040 Speaker 1: it just puts that on every day. It's very very 611 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 1: helpful for your roster building exercise, all right, Scott, Unless 612 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:21,920 Speaker 1: you have more to adamtt Olsen. That is a podcast 613 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:24,000 Speaker 1: for a player that again I think we feel safe 614 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:26,920 Speaker 1: that will not be traded before we post this podcast. 615 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:30,000 Speaker 2: Yes, if I could bet on bet money on that, 616 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:32,720 Speaker 2: I would happily do it. Yeah, we wanted to get 617 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:37,080 Speaker 2: another one of these player reviews and previews done. We'll 618 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 2: continue to do them throughout January and even early February 619 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:43,440 Speaker 2: as spring training gets closer and closer. But we did 620 00:29:43,560 --> 00:29:46,120 Speaker 2: Orlando Arcia a couple of weeks ago just because of 621 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:49,640 Speaker 2: the uncertainty at that position moving forward. And then yeah, 622 00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:52,320 Speaker 2: we kind of picked and choose between Matt Olson and 623 00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:55,720 Speaker 2: Austin Riley to very good baseball players who are signed 624 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:59,880 Speaker 2: for a long time. And yeah, so that's a Mattleson podcast, 625 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:02,440 Speaker 2: a very good player and hopefully he gets back to 626 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 2: his highs of twenty twenty three when he was one 627 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:06,360 Speaker 2: of the very best in the game. 628 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:10,800 Speaker 1: We agree on that. Yeah, this is being posted sometimes 629 00:30:10,840 --> 00:30:12,400 Speaker 1: we don't want it's going to go up, So please 630 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 1: subscribe to the podcast. And the best way to find 631 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:17,560 Speaker 1: the show a little professional segue here, Scott, is that 632 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:19,160 Speaker 1: if you don't know what the show is going to post, 633 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:21,040 Speaker 1: if you subscribe to it, you will just it will 634 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:23,040 Speaker 1: just be delivered to you. It'll be presented to you 635 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:25,880 Speaker 1: on a platter in Spotify or Apple Podcasts or wherever 636 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,120 Speaker 1: you like to listen to podcasts. Best thing you can 637 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:31,120 Speaker 1: possibly do so. Subscribe check us out on YouTube if 638 00:30:31,120 --> 00:30:32,480 Speaker 1: you want to watch us. I don't know why you 639 00:30:32,520 --> 00:30:34,520 Speaker 1: would because I'm old, but hey, people like people like 640 00:30:34,560 --> 00:30:35,400 Speaker 1: YouTube podcasts. I don't. 641 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:35,600 Speaker 2: I don't. 642 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,360 Speaker 1: I don't know who these people are. I love you all. 643 00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:39,120 Speaker 1: You're probably younger than I am and better looking than 644 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:41,280 Speaker 1: I am. But hey, hopefully you go. That does not 645 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:44,160 Speaker 1: turn you off to watch us on video. 646 00:30:44,960 --> 00:30:46,760 Speaker 2: You do a fine job, Brad, fine job. 647 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:47,960 Speaker 1: That's the ladies. 648 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:51,320 Speaker 2: The ladies go wild for you and Sean the lady. 649 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:53,320 Speaker 1: The ladies love Sean. That is that is that's that's 650 00:30:53,360 --> 00:30:55,440 Speaker 1: been well established. Seawan's family men, so he doesn't have 651 00:30:55,560 --> 00:30:58,080 Speaker 1: to take the attention. But the ladies love Sean and 652 00:30:58,080 --> 00:31:00,800 Speaker 1: Stephen of course. But yeah, we'll have more coming up. 653 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:02,000 Speaker 1: I don't know what our next podcast is going to be. 654 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:04,520 Speaker 1: Exammem one the simppost, but just stay tuned, everybody, We 655 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:08,040 Speaker 1: really appreciate it. Follow Scott on Twitter and Blue Sky 656 00:31:08,160 --> 00:31:12,680 Speaker 1: at Scott column fifty five. Correct, that's right. Follow us 657 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:14,800 Speaker 1: as a show at Hamard Territory. I am at BT 658 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:19,000 Speaker 1: Rowland on Blue Sky, Twitter, et cetera. Will more. Please 659 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:21,080 Speaker 1: to subscribe to the podcast. Enjoy your holidays. I think 660 00:31:21,080 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 1: this podcast going to post stound on the holidays, so 661 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:25,200 Speaker 1: stay tuned for that as well. And uh, thanks for 662 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:27,560 Speaker 1: listening everybody, We really appreciate it. See you all next time.