There is no question that Matt Olson has been one of the better players on the Oakland A’s over the past few seasons. The power hitting first baseman has found his way after a lost 2020 campaign, making his first All Star Game and leading the A’s offense this season. It has been the type of performance that Oakland had been hoping for this year.
It is also the type of performance that, with any other team, would lead to thoughts of an extension. That is not always the case with the A’s, especially as Olson has two more years of team control left following this season.
Matt Olson – the next retired number for the Oakland A’s?
But that does not mean that one should not look ahead. MLB.com did just that, projecting who the next retired number for each franchise would be. Understandably, Olson was the choice, taking the mantle from Matt Chapman.
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The A’s have retired five numbers in their existence, not including Jackie Robinson, whose number was set aside in perpetuity by Major League Baseball, or former owner Walter Haas Jr. Every player who has had their number retired has gone on to be a member of the Hall of Fame, setting a lofty bar.
Obviously, there is a long way to go before Olson would be in that conversation. He has had a solid start to his career, posting a .254/.346/.516 batting line with 131 homers in his 2143 major league plate appearances. Olson has also been one of the best defensive first basemen of his time, a two time Gold Glove winner whose presence has made a tremendous difference for the A’s defense.
If Olson is to receive such an honor, he will need to continue the type of production that he has had this season for the next few years. He would also likely need to sign an extension while making a few more All Star Games and maybe winning a World Series. It is a tall task, and one that may not happen. But it is fun to look ahead and dream.
Matt Olson is considered to be the most likely member of the Oakland A’s to have their number retired. He has a long way to go for that to happen.