The Athletics locked up one of their homegrown talents for the foreseeable future. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the team has reached a seven-year agreement with left fielder Tyler Soderstrom.
Soderstrom, 24, was the Athletics’ first round selection in the 2020 MLB Draft. Originally a catcher, the organization moved him off the position to get his bat in the lineup more. He debuted as a first baseman, but was moved to left field upon Nick Kurtz’s arrival.
The 2025 season was a breakout year for Soderstrom. He hit .276 with 25 home runs, 93 RBI, and an .820 OPS. He also played quality left field defense, grading well on Baseball Reference (+9 fielding runs) and Statcast (+4 OAA/+3 FRV). His contributions added up to 4.3 bWAR/3.4 fWAR.
At $86 million, Soderstrom’s extension marks the largest contract ever given in franchise history. The previous record was the $67 million they handed out to Luis Severino last winter. The deal has a club option for 2033 and a maximum value of $131 million. Should he hit all the escalators, his deal would nearly double the previous largest contract in Athletics history.
Why a Tyler Soderstrom Extension Makes Sense for the Athletics.
Soderstrom entered 2026 with two years and 53 days of service time, so he was still controllable for the next four seasons. The extension adds a minimum of three years, possibly four if the option is exercised.
The Athletics take on the risk of the deal, committing $86 million upfront. But for a 24-year-old budding All-Star bat, the benefit is getting that value lower than what the open market would give for his prime years. For comparison, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso signed five-year deals north of $150 million this offseason.
Even if Soderstrom ends up being a 25-30 home run hitter, the deal should age well for the Athletics. He ranks well in Statcast’s quality of contact metrics, sitting in the 86th percentile in hard-hit rate and 70th percentile for barrels. Add in that he’s a good defender, Soderstrom has a strong chance to repay that $86 million guarantee and then some.
Athletics’ 2026 Lineup is Dangerous
The Athletics had five players post a 120 wRC+ or better, minimum 400 plate appearances, in 2025. That is tied with the New York Yankees for the most players.
- 1B Nick Kurtz: 170
- C Shea Langeliers: 132
- LF Tyler Soderstrom: 125
- DH Brent Rooker: 122
- SS Jacob Wilson: 121
With all five hitters controlled through at least the 2028 season, this lineup has a chance to stick around as they complete their move to Las Vegas. Soderstrom becomes the third hitter to sign an extension with the club in 2025. Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler got long-term guarantees of $60 million and $65.5 million.
The next player the Athletics should try to extend is Kurtz. The 2025 American League Rookie of the Year winner hit .290 with 36 home runs and a 1.002 OPS. Kurtz has become the face of the franchise and the key foundational piece for this Athletics club.
As the Athletics try to complete their move to Las Vegas, they’ve assembled quite the roster of hitters. With the offensive firepower that lineup carries, they should be one of the more exciting teams to watch in 2026.
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