Matt Olson - Fantasy Baseball Trade Targets: Buy or Sell? (Week 8)

BALLER MOVE: Buy Matt Olson

ANALYSIS: Trading for Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson will not be easy by any means. He is coming off a season in which he hit 54 home runs and 139 RBI while finishing fourth in the National League MVP voting. As a matter of fact, Olson has established himself as one of the best hitters in the game over the past few years.

However, the start of the 2024 campaign hasn't been kind to Olson. He is batting just .200 at the plate with three HRs and 16 RBI through the first 34 games. The left-handed slugger also has just seven hits (one extra-base hit) over his last 77 plate appearances since April 16. That's why now is the perfect time to trade for him. The Braves first baseman will surely break out of his slump soon, and when he does, those fantasy managers who acquired him will be rewarded big-time.

I know fans don't want to hear it & just want results. But it's crazy how unlucky Matt Olson has been.

Since April 22:
- 19.1% K-rate (so he's cut down the Ks)
- .167 BABIP (like ... how?)
- 40% hard contact rate (higher than '23)
- 38% fly ball rate (down 3 points from '23) pic.twitter.com/Q8RwR8yJag

— LockedOn_Braves (@LockedOn_Braves) May 6, 2024

The results might not be there for the 30-year-old in the early going, but the metrics suggest that he will heat up. His expected slugging (.445), average exit velocity (94 mph), barrel rate (12.4%), and hard-hit rate (56.2%) all rank in the top half of the league. He also has a 12.2% walk rate, which ranks in the 82nd percentile.

The high hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity are a great sign from Olson, and his numbers should eventually even out as the season progresses. As a result, fantasy managers should be looking to buy low on the Braves first baseman. It might still cost a lot to acquire the veteran, but his fantasy value will never be lower.

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