Athletics Lock Up Tyler Soderstrom With Seven-Year Extension

The Oakland A’s have made their intentions crystal clear: Tyler Soderstrom isn’t just part of the future—he *is* the future.

With a record-setting seven-year, $86 million contract extension that could climb to $131 million, the franchise has committed its biggest-ever financial bet to a player who, not long ago, was considered a bat without a position.

This deal is about more than numbers on a page—it’s a statement of identity for a franchise in transition.

Tyler Soderstrom’s Record-Breaking Extension

The A’s agreed to a seven-year, $86 million extension with Soderstrom, the largest guaranteed contract in franchise history.

The structure offers both security and upside, with an eighth-year club option and escalators that could push the total value to $131 million.

That kind of commitment marks a dramatic shift for an organization that’s usually known for cost-conscious roster building.

For context, this deal dwarfs recent extensions for other emerging Athletics stars and sets a new internal standard for paying homegrown talent.

How It Compares to Other Recent A’s Deals

Soderstrom’s extension doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s the latest and loudest move in a series of long-term bets on young position players.

His $86 million guarantee eclipses:

By blowing past those figures, the A’s are signaling that they see Soderstrom not just as part of the core, but as the centerpiece.

This is the kind of deal you give to a player you expect to anchor the lineup for the better part of a decade.

From Bat-First Prospect to Full-Fledged Star

When the Athletics picked Soderstrom in the first round of the 2020 draft, scouts agreed: the bat would carry him.

The question was where he’d play. Drafted as a catcher, he was labeled a bat-first prospect with an uncertain defensive home.

That uncertainty wasn’t just theoretical. Early in his career, it became pretty clear that catching might not be the long-term path.

The A’s had to get creative to keep his bat in the lineup while finding a position he could handle every day.

Early Defensive Struggles and Position Changes

Soderstrom eventually moved off catcher and spent time at first base—a natural landing spot for a power hitter, but one that magnifies the pressure on the bat.

His rookie season reflected that tension. He struggled early, both at the plate and in the field, and there were understandable questions about how quickly he’d adjust to major league pitching and whether he’d offer enough value defensively.

Instead of plateauing, Soderstrom progressed. He smoothed out his approach at the plate and tightened his swing decisions.

He started to show the kind of impact offensive profile that had long been projected for him.

The 2025 Breakout: A Middle-of-the-Order Force

Soderstrom’s upward trajectory turned into a full-scale breakout over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

After taking a clear step forward in 2024, he exploded out of the gate in 2025 and quickly emerged as one of the most dangerous hitters in the league.

By the end of April 2025, he was near the top of the MLB leaderboards in power production, turning potential into consistent, game-changing results.

Elite Production at the Plate

Through the end of April, Soderstrom had:

That .284/.349/.560 slash line showed more than just raw power.

It pointed to a hitter who combined plate discipline, contact ability, and impact damage—hallmarks of a true middle-of-the-order bat.

For a franchise searching for a new offensive cornerstone, Soderstrom checked every box.

Solving the Positional Puzzle: Soderstrom in Left Field

The next turning point came not at the plate, but with a glove.

The arrival of top prospect Nick Kurtz created a positional logjam at first base, forcing the A’s to rethink where Soderstrom could fit defensively without sacrificing his bat.

With no prior professional experience in the outfield, the A’s made an aggressive move—they shifted him to left field and hoped his athleticism and work ethic would translate to a brand-new role.

From Experiment to Gold Glove Finalist

What started as an experiment quickly became a revelation.

Soderstrom didn’t just survive in left field—he excelled.

Defensive metrics graded him well above average, and by season’s end, he had earned recognition as a Gold Glove finalist.

That defensive leap changed his value in a big way. Instead of being pigeonholed as a bat-only first baseman, he now projected as a legitimate two-way contributor: an outfielder who could save runs in the field and create them at the plate.

What This Extension Means for the Athletics’ Future

Soderstrom has become a core middle-of-the-order bat. He’s also turned into a pretty solid, sometimes even above-average, outfielder.

He now stands as a central pillar in the Athletics’ long-term plans. This extension just makes that official and gives the franchise some much-needed cost certainty around one of its most important players.

For the A’s, this contract isn’t just about locking up a star. It’s a message—to the clubhouse, to the fans, and to the league—that when they develop a player like Soderstrom, they’re actually willing to invest and build around him.

Stability and identity matter in baseball, maybe more than we admit. Right now, Tyler Soderstrom represents both for Oakland.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Athletics, Tyler Soderstrom Agree To Seven-Year Extension