A’s Sign Lawrence Butler To Big along-Term Extension

The Sacramento A's continue to go to contract heights they've never gone before this offseason. After signing slugger Brent Rooker to a five-year, $60 million deal earlier in the winter, they've gone one step further with exciting young outfielder Lawrence Butler, signing him to a seven-year, $65.5 million deal with an option that can max out at $87.5 million. Rarefied territory for the stingy A's franchise.

Lawrence Butler A’s deal done
$65.5M/7 with one option
Can max out at 87.5M

Third-largest contract team history, second-largest extension

Largest AAV and second-largest guarantee for a position player with 1+ years of service at time of signing
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 7, 2025

Butler, 24, had a breakout season as a rookie last year and is seen as a foundational piece for the A’s into the future.

In his first full major league season in 2024, Butler moved into the starting lineup for good in July, and went on a second-half tear that saw him bat .300 with an .898 OPS, 13 homers and 12 stolen bases in 61 games. Overall on the season, he finished with a .262 average, an .807 OPS, a 131 OPS+ with 22 HR, 57 RBIs and 18 SBs.

He had some other cool accomplishments as well:

Lawrence Butler last year was the:

- 2nd A’s player with 2 3-HR games in a season (1996 Gerónimo Berroa)
- 3rd player age 24 or younger with 2 3-HR gms in a szn (2016 Mookie Betts & 1947 Ralph Kiner)
- 3rd player w/2 3-HR gms batting leadoff in a szn (‘24 Schwarber, ‘18 Betts) https://t.co/XrVfvrd18r
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 7, 2025

He was only the second A's player ever with two 3-HR games in a season (no, Reggie Jackson never even accomplished it, it was Geronimo Berroa); and the third player in baseball history aged 24 or younger two 3-HR games in a season (he's in good company, the others: Mookie Betts in 2016 and Ralph Kiner in 1947.

The A's are putting something exciting together. Too bad the folks in Oakland won't be around to see it.