The Oakland A’s are doing the unthinkable: they’re actually spending money this offseason.
The A’s are locking up All-Star Brent Rooker on a long-term deal. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the contract is for $60 million over five years. The deal includes a vesting option that could bring the amount to $90 million over six years.
It’s a big deal for the A’s to be able to extend Rooker.
Oakland picked up Rooker off waivers from the Royals in November 2022. He went on to bash 30 home runs in the 2023 season while making the AL All-Star team. Last season, Rooker slugged 39 home runs with a .293 batting average and .927 OPS. He also stole 11 bases.
Rooker finished 10th in AL MVP voting and won the Silver Slugger award for the first base position.
$60 million over five years doesn’t sound like much money for a guy who slugged 39 home runs. But Rooker is entering his first year of arbitration and still under team control for three seasons. That means only two of his five-year contract cover free agency years.
Rooker is taking some lifelong security now and avoiding the hassle of potentially entering arbitration with the A’s for three straight offseasons.
The A’s have now signed Rooker long-term in addition to Luis Severino. Try to contain yourself over the A’s shockingly spending some money.
