Summary:
- The Oakland Athletics have reportedly signed Brent Rooker to a five-year, $60 million extension.
- Rooker will earn $10 million per year for the first three seasons and $15 million per season for the final two.
- The deal includes a sixth-year vesting option valued at $22 million that could go up by an additional $10 million.
The Oakland Athletics have locked in designated baseball hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker with a five-year contract extension worth $60 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Rooker is currently the only Athletics player currently signed through the team’s anticipated Las Vegas debut in 2026.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Rooker will earn $10 million annually for the first three years, covering what would have been his arbitration period.
For the final two guaranteed years, his salary will increase, averaging $15 million per season.
The contract also includes a sixth-year vesting option worth $22 million that could increase by an additional $10 million.
Previously, the largest extension in franchise history belonged to star third baseman Eric Chavez, who held the record for the biggest contract at $66 million until Luis Severino surpassed it.
The 30-year-old born in Germantown, Tennessee, earned his first All-Star nod in 2023 and continued to impress last MLB season.
During his debut season with the A’s in 2023, Rooker doubled his career plate appearances.
He delivered 30 home runs, blossoming into an All-Star and a 10th-place MVP finisher last year when he elevated his performance, slashing .297/.365/.562 while smashing 39 home runs and driving in 112 RBIs.
This significant extension for Brent Rooker is part of a rare offseason spending spree for the Athletics.
The team, known for its cost-conscious approach, made several notable moves, including signing right-handed pitcher Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million contract.
Additionally, they added infielder Gio Urshela and left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs as they prepare for their transition to Sacramento next season and their eventual move to Las Vegas.
Before joining Oakland, Rooker had stints with the Minnesota Twins (2020), San Diego Padres (April 2022), and Kansas City Royals (August 2022) over three seasons.
While Rooker was projected to earn roughly $5 million through arbitration, his new deal will count as $12 million annually, reflecting its average annual value.
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