Athletics Sign Soderstrom to Record 7-Year, $86M Deal

The Oakland Athletics have secured a franchise-record contract extension with one of their rising stars, agreeing to a seven-year, $86 million deal with 24-year-old left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, according to reports from ESPN's Jeff Passan. The agreement, announced around Christmas Day, includes an eighth-year club option and performance escalators that could raise the total value to $131 million, surpassing the previous record of $67 million given to pitcher Luis Severino last offseason.

Soderstrom, selected by the Athletics in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Turlock High School in California, has emerged as a key part of the team's young core. Originally drafted as a catcher, he made only 15 starts at the position during his 2023 rookie season before transitioning primarily to first base in 2024. Last year, following the promotion of rookie Nick Kurtz to first base in late April, Soderstrom shifted to left field, a position he had never played professionally before. He adapted quickly, posting strong defensive metrics, including 10 defensive runs saved and leading the league in outs above average among left fielders, which earned him consideration as a Gold...