Athletics Make Huge Decision With Slugger Brent Rooker

The Sacramento/Oakland A's did something shocking overnight—they actually extended their biggest star, rather than trading him. Brent Rooker and the A's are in agreement on a 5-year, $60 million deal that could reach over $90 million with incentives.

Designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker in agreement with A’s on five-year, $60M extension, source tells @TheAthletic. Vesting option can take the deal to six years, $90M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 7, 2025

It will pay him $30 million over the first three seasons, which would’ve been his arbitration years.

It's a very team-friendly deal, which is, of course, the only kind that the Athletics can afford. But Rooker, a late bloomer into stardom, is obviously very happy in Northern California (hopefully he'll be happy in Las Vegas, as well, the eventual destination of the franchise).

He was a first-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, but didn't make his mark in the majors for six years. At that point, now with Oakland, the slugging DH/outfielder exploded onto the scene in 2023, earning an All-Star berth, and launching 30 homers with an .817 OPS. But he took it to a whole new level in 2024, setting career highs with a .293 average, 39 HR, 112 RBIs, a .927 OPS and a robust 165 OPS+. He even finished 10th in MVP balloting.

He also became the first A’s player to win a Silver Slugger Award since Eric Chavez in 2002.

It's a nice deal for Rooker, and a great one for the A's as they head into the next era of the franchise.