Athletics Offer Extension to Nick Kurtz: Terms and Outlook

The Athletics are in the middle of contract negotiations with first baseman Nick Kurtz. They’re weighing an extension as part of a bigger strategy tied to Oakland’s upcoming move to Las Vegas.

This blog post explores what that discussion means for Kurtz and the A’s payroll philosophy. It also looks at how a potential deal could reshape the franchise’s young core in a new market.

What Nick Kurtz’s Extension Talks Signify for Oakland

The A’s have formally offered Kurtz a contract extension, but nobody’s sharing the terms yet, and the deal’s still up in the air. Kurtz told The Athletic he’s “definitely open and interested,” though he made it clear that timing is everything here.

This extension push fits with Oakland’s plan to boost payroll as the team heads to Las Vegas, with a pit stop in West Sacramento on the way. Oakland’s already locked in several young players to multi-year deals, signaling a real commitment to building a foundation before the move.

The club previously signed Brent Rooker (five years, $60 million), Lawrence Butler (seven years, $65.5 million), Tyler Soderstrom (seven years, $86 million), and Jacob Wilson (seven years, $70 million). Kurtz’s situation lands right at the crossroads of his rising value and a franchise that’s recalibrating its payroll for a new era.

Kurtz’s On-Field Value and Service Time

Kurtz made his debut at 22 and put up a jaw-dropping rookie season—36 home runs in 489 plate appearances. He showed a solid 12.9% walk rate and a 30.9% strikeout rate, making him a power threat in Oakland’s lineup.

He was the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year, despite not being called up until late April. That says a lot about his immediate impact.

Because of prospect-promotion incentive rules, Kurtz got credit for a full year of service time—so the A’s control him for five more seasons, not six. He’ll hit free agency after his age-27 season, which definitely affects both the timing and the size of any extension.

Early-career extensions for players with similar service time can get huge. Julio Rodríguez, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Bobby Witt Jr. all landed massive deals—analysts think Kurtz could be looking at $150 million or more if the A’s move now.

Kurtz is repped by Excel Sports, a firm that hasn’t done a ton of early extensions at this stage. He’s already got a $7 million signing bonus and about $2 million in 2025 and pre-arb earnings, so he’s not exactly desperate for cash. For him, an extension is as much about long-term flexibility and market positioning as it is about immediate financial need.

The Financial Landscape for Early Extensions

For Oakland, any extension for Kurtz would have to fit into the team’s long-term payroll structure. Locking him up would probably mean breaking the franchise’s record for guaranteed money, especially given how the market’s shifted for young stars like him.

• Franchise context: The A’s have shown they’re willing to make sizable, multi-year commitments to core players lately, aiming for some stability.
• Potential value: If Kurtz is in that $150 million range or higher, it’d be a franchise landmark and could lock in elite production for five to seven years.
• Representation angle: Excel Sports could shape the negotiation style and structure, given their background with big extensions for young talent.

A’s Strategic Rationale Behind the Las Vegas Move

The timing of a Kurtz extension is right in the middle of Oakland’s bigger push to build a competitive, affordable core for a new market. The move to Las Vegas, with a planned 2028 debut, comes with a real desire to spend more and avoid MLBPA headaches, plus build up a steady pipeline of players who can handle the pressure of a bigger stage.

Kurtz stays under A’s control through 2030 even if there’s no extension, so he could still be a big part of the Las Vegas era. The front office has to juggle immediate payroll commitments with long-term flexibility as they try to steer the franchise into a new chapter—no easy task, honestly.

What Happens Next and Why It Matters

The next steps really depend on whether Kurtz and the A’s can actually agree on terms that work for both sides. They’ll need to line up on both timing and money, which, honestly, is never easy.

If they pull off a structured deal, that could anchor Oakland’s offense during this weird post-move stretch. But if not, the franchise still has a talented anchor locked in through 2030, and that might shape the 2028 Las Vegas roster right from the start.

Either way, this choice is going to shake up Oakland’s payroll strategy and affect how the young core develops. The team’s shot at competing in a new market is also on the line.

For fans and analysts, Kurtz’s situation feels like a real snapshot of how a franchise tries to juggle winning now with being smart about money—especially when a city switch is looming.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Athletics Have Made Extension Offer To Nick Kurtz