Athletics manager discusses possible contract extension for Brent Rooker

The A’s shocked by the baseball world by signing Luis Severino to a three-year, $67M contract, as few anticipated the crew to make a franchise-record signing prematurely of their deliberate three-year cease in West Sacramento earlier than shifting into their new ballpark in Las Vegas.  The following step may very well be locking up a star participant on an extension, as supervisor Mark Kotsay advised reporters (together with MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos) that the crew was “hopeful to get one thing executed with” Brent Rooker.  Such a transfer would “proceed displaying a distinct route for this group by way of making commitments to gamers,” Kotsay stated.

Whereas signing youthful or less-established gamers to extensions is frequent observe for all groups irrespective of their payroll measurement, the tactic naturally has better import for lower-spending groups.  Gaining value certainty on a participant by means of their arbitration years or gaining management over a free-agent yr or two can show to be an enormous cut price for golf equipment that aren’t comfy in spending massive to retain these gamers in free company, or to deliver new high-priced expertise in as replacements.

Even with this in thoughts, the Athletics have not often seemed to increase gamers, as Khris Davis’ two-year, $33.5M deal from April 2019 is (remarkably) the one extension signed by an A’s participant inside the final decade.  Utilizing MLBTR’s Contract Tracker to return even additional, the A’s have signed solely 9 extensions since October 2007.  Of these 9 gamers, Sean Doolittle, Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, and Kurt Suzuki are the one gamers to signal offers longer than two years.

Rooker is already below crew management by means of the 2027 season and is projected to earn $5.1M in his first journey by means of the arbitration course of.  The 30-year-old has greater than earned that wholesome wage, as Rooker has been nothing in need of excellent since coming to the then-Oakland A’s on a waiver declare from the Royals in November 2022.  Whereas Rooker’s potential was hinted by his standing because the thirty fifth total decide of the 2017 draft, he’d hit solely .200/.289/.379 over 270 plate appearances with the Twins, Padres, and Royals over the 2020-22 seasons.

The breakout began in 2023 when Rooker hit .246/.329/.488 with 30 homers in 526 PA, and he saved on climbing with 39 dwelling runs and a .293/.365/.562 slash line over 614 PA this previous season.  Solely six gamers in baseball had the next wRC+ than Rooker’s 164 whole, because the ex-waiver pickup unexpectedly blossomed into among the best hitters within the recreation.

Because the Athletics had been regarded as rebuilding, there have been loads of commerce rumors swirling round Rooker, with the logic being that the A’s would look to capitalize on this found-money acquisition by promoting excessive.  Nonetheless, GM David Forst firmly acknowledged final month that the A’s had been “going to maintain” the slugger and an extension would additional cement Rooker’s place as a constructing block for the group.

Although the Athletics misplaced 93 video games in 2024, they appear emboldened by their 33-32 file over their ultimate 65 video games and may be trying to take a step ahead towards rivalry as quickly as subsequent yr.  Even when Severino’s contract was partially impressed by the Athletics’ need to retain their revenue-sharing standing, the uncharacteristically massive splash signifies that the A’s are getting extra critical of their plans to play aggressive baseball.

It isn’t essentially a provided that the A’s are in search of a really lengthy dedication to Rooker, as an extension may probably simply cowl his arb years.  Locking in three years of wage now may assist the Athletics save a bit of cash sooner or later if Rooker retains upping his price ticket together with his elite numbers.  From Rooker’s perspective, he may want to maintain betting on himself, or he may welcome the possibility to money in on his breakout with some life-changing monetary safety.