MLB teams looking to the trade market for an righty power bat now have one less option.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst revealed that the team intends to keep a noteworthy trade candidate — designated hitter and outfielder Brent Rooker.
“We’re going to keep [Rooker],” said Forst, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The 30-year-old Rooker has three more years of arbitration eligibility remaining. An All-Star in 2023, Rooker is the best hitter on the Oakland roster. After clubbing 30 home runs and 69 RBIs in 2023, Rooker outdid himself in 2024 with 39 home runs and 112 RBIs on a .293 batting average (all team bests).
After a 69-93 season, the A’s will be playing in Sacramento from 2025-27 while they wait for their new stadium in Las Vegas to be built. It is unclear what the plan is for their roster, but there may be another big name who is available for trade by the A’s even if Rooker ultimately stays put.
