Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom. William Liang-Imagn Images

LF Tyler Soderstrom agrees to record contract extension with Athletics

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Dec 25, 2025 4:08 PM ET

Despite finishing seven games better in 2025 (76-86) than they did in 2024 (69-93), the Athletics are still a ways off from being a playoff-caliber ball club.

The A’s have the pieces to become a playoff team, and after acquiring infielder Jeff McNeil to give them another veteran presence in their young clubhouse, the A’s are one step closer to that goal. McNeil joins a core that features designated hitter Brent Rooker and outfielders Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom, the latter of whom was the latest recipient of a massive contract extension.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Athletics and Soderstrom have agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract, which is the largest guaranteed contract in Athletics history. Passan also reports that the deal includes a club option for an eighth year and could top out money-wise to $131 million.

A catcher by trade, Soderstrom spent 108 of his 158 games played in 2025 out in left field and performed well, having a positive defensive runs saved of 14. Soderstrom also committed two errors in 244 chances (867.2 innings) and had two double plays under his belt. At the plate, the 24-year-old had a breakout season, batting .276 with an OPS of .820 and mashed 25 home runs while driving in 93 RBI.

Merry Christmas, everyone.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 25, 2025

Athletics are locking up talented position players to put on a show in Las Vegas

Soderstrom is now the third player (Rooker, five years, $60M, and Butler, seven years, $65.5M) on the Athletics roster to receive a contract extension. It shows that the organization believes he will help usher in a new era of A’s baseball once the team moves from Sacramento to Las Vegas. Despite their record, the Athletics had the fifth-best offense in baseball last season (.253 batting average) while benefiting from the small confines of their ballpark, ranking seventh in home runs (219) and fifth in slugging percentage (.431).

Having a solid position player core led by Soderstrom, Rooker and Butler, the Athletics need to find top-level pitching to supplement their offense. Though RHP Luis Severino (4.54) has shown he can lead a pitching staff, the Athletics need to find younger and better talent for their move to Vegas.

The Athletics had one of the best arms in the game in Mason Miller, but traded him and left-hander JP Sears to the San Diego Padres for a package of prospects, which depleted their pitching depth. Since the A’s have not shown a willingness to spend big on the free-agent market yet and are more willing to make trades, they could opt to get their pitching needs that way.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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