Report: Athletics 'Shooting For the Moon' in Matt Olson Trade Talks
If the Yankees want to trade for Matt Olson this offseason, they're going to have to produce a spectacular package to send to the Athletics.
Oakland is said to be "shooting for the moon" in trade talks, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
This comes as no surprise. Olson is one of the best left-handed slugger in the American League, a 27-year-old that's just scratching the surface of his potential.
In 2021, Olson crushed 39 home runs, drove in 111 runs and scored 101 while producing a .911 OPS and 5.8 bWAR. Can you imagine the type of numbers Olson would put up in a Yankees uniform, hitting between Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton while taking advantage of the short porch in the Bronx?
READ: Yankees Discussing Possible Matt Olson Trade
Oakland has some leverage, though. They don't need to trade Olson. Of course they'd like to—taking advantage of Olson's value and saving some money as they dip into a bit of a rebuild this offseason—but the first baseman has two more years of control. If the right deal doesn't present itself, there's less of a reason to force a trade this winter.
Then again, by not trading Olson, the A's would be risking a decrease in the slugger's value. Or even worse, Olson could stick around in an Athletics uniform for those two years while the team doesn't contend before he walks in free agency in 2024.
So, what type of package will the Yankees try to come up with? Odds are they would have to part ways with one of their top three prospects (Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez and Oswald Peraza). Since Volpe and Peraza both play shortstop, perhaps one of the two is expendable. Peraza, for instance, is ranked below Volpe, but is still a high-upside asset that reached Triple-A in 2021.
More prospects, and a few big leaguers, will surely be required as well if the Yankees want a shot at acquiring Olson.
Trade Proposal: Yankees Send Three Players to Oakland For Matt Olson
Same goes for a stud like Pirates center fielder Bryan Reynolds. Pittsburgh is reportedly asking for an "astronomical" package in return for their rising star.
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