Tyler Soderstrom Agrees to 7-Year, $86M Deal with Oakland A’s

The Oakland Athletics just made a franchise-defining bet on their future. They locked up emerging star Tyler Soderstrom to the largest contract in team history.

This long-term commitment isn’t just about rewarding a breakout 2025 season. It’s about anchoring the lineup, signaling a new era of spending, and building a contender before the club’s planned move to Las Vegas.

Tyler Soderstrom’s Historic Extension with the A’s

The Athletics agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract with left fielder Tyler Soderstrom. The deal includes a club option for an eighth season and escalator clauses that could push the total value to $131 million.

For a franchise known for cost-cutting, this is a landmark move. The contract comes with a $12.3 million average annual guarantee, putting it among the richest ever for a player with just over two years of Major League service time.

The structure buys out Soderstrom’s remaining arbitration years and four seasons of free agency. Oakland now has his prime years locked in.

A Franchise-Record Deal with Serious Upside

This is the largest contract in franchise history, eclipsing any previous A’s deal in value and length. With those escalators, the organization is betting Soderstrom will become a true middle-of-the-order anchor.

For Oakland, the club option on the eighth year offers flexibility. If Soderstrom keeps rising, the A’s control a star-caliber bat on what could be a bargain deal down the line.

If things don’t go as planned, they have an exit ramp. They’re not stuck with a declining profile.

Soderstrom’s Breakout Season: From Prospect to Cornerstone

Soderstrom’s breakout 2025 campaign sparked this extension. At just 24, he delivered the kind of production front offices dream about when they invest in player development.

In his first full big-league season, Soderstrom slashed .276/.346/.474 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs. That line wasn’t just empty power; it showed a mature approach at the plate and on-base skills to go with his left-handed thump.

From Catcher to Left Field: A Successful Reinvention

Originally, Soderstrom developed as a catcher and tried first base. Just a few years ago, his long-term defensive home was a question mark.

That uncertainty’s gone. His transition to left field worked, with above-average defense turning a concern into a strength.

The combo of a powerful left-handed bat and capable outfield work gives the A’s a real two-way contributor. That’s exactly the profile front offices want to lock in early.

Building a Core Before the Move to Las Vegas

This extension fits into the A’s broader strategy: assemble a competitive, marketable core before the move to Las Vegas in 2028. The front office doesn’t want to arrive in a new market with a rebuilding roster.

Last winter, Oakland made waves with a club-record $67 million deal for pitcher Luis Severino. Soderstrom’s contract pushes that line even further, suggesting a clear pivot toward long-term foundational pieces.

A Young, Controlled Core Taking Shape

Soderstrom now joins a growing cluster of long-term commitments and controllable young talent. The A’s have:

They’ve also got Shea Langeliers, Denzel Clarke, and new addition Jeff McNeil in the mix. Oakland now projects one of the most potent offenses in baseball, a real shift from the lean years before their 76–86 finish.

How Soderstrom’s Deal Stacks Up Around the League

This contract looks even bigger in a league-wide context. Among outfielders with similar service time, only Fernando Tatis Jr., Mike Trout, and Yordan Alvarez have landed larger deals.

That puts Soderstrom in elite company, at least in terms of organizational belief and financial commitment. It’s wild how quickly his stock has risen — from promising prospect to centerpiece player worthy of a record-setting deal.

What It Means for the A’s Going Forward

The A’s have always cycled stars in and out before they hit free agency. The Soderstrom extension flips that script in a big way.

Instead of trading away another homegrown star, they’re letting him become the face of this new era. Maybe it’s a sign they’re finally ready to plant roots for the lineup—and for their future in Las Vegas.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Sources: Soderstrom, A’s agree for 7 years, $86M