Report: Rooker, Athletics agree to five-year, $60 million contract extension originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Athletics would retain star slugger Brent Rooker for the foreseeable future.
Rooker and the Athletic have agreed to a five-year, $60 million contract extension, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Monday evening, citing a source. Rosenthal added that the deal includes a vesting option that can extend the term to six years, or $90 million.
Designated hitter and outfielder Brent Rooker in agreement with A’s on five-year, $60 million extension, source says @TheAthletic. The acquisition option can take the transaction to six years, or $90 million.
-Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 7, 2025
Rooker collected a career-high 307 total bases during the 2024 MLB season – the Athletics’ last in Oakland – finishing with team highs of 160 hits, 112 RBIs and 39 home runs. The 30-year-old slashed .293/.365/.562 with a .927 OPS in 2024, and over two seasons with the Athletics, he recorded 274 hits, 181 RBIs and 69 home runs.
He won the first Silver Slugger prize of his career for his efforts in 2024, earning honors as the best DH in the American League, and was also an MLB All-Star in 2023.
The announced agreement represents the largest annual value of any contract extension in athletics history. Over five years, or $60 million, Rooker would earn $12 million per year – eclipsing the $11 million per year mark set in 2004 when third baseman Eric Chavez was extended for six years, or $66 million. of dollars.
In the past, the Athletics have been known to grab their prospects in exchange for their stars via trades, but it’s clear they believe they can build a team around Rooker heading into their first season away from Oakland. In addition to Rooker’s announced extension, the Athletics spent a lot of money on right-hander Luis Severino with a three-year, $67 million contract in MLB free agency this offseason – the largest transaction in franchise history.
And now, as the Athletics embark on a new journey playing at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento and, eventually, Las Vegas, their star slugger will be there every step of the way.
