Soderstrom, Imai Countdown: Latest Updates and Upcoming MLB Moves

The Oakland Athletics jolted an otherwise sleepy holiday news cycle by locking up Tyler Soderstrom to a seven-year extension. Meanwhile, the rest of baseball watched the posting clock tick down on Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai.

This article looks at what Soderstrom’s deal signals about the A’s Las Vegas plans. It also digs into how their winter is shaping up and why Imai’s decision could shake up the free-agent pitching market before the New Year’s ball drops.

Tyler Soderstrom Extension Signals A’s Are Building for Las Vegas

The A’s don’t usually make noise on Christmas Day. But this year, they sent a clear message about their future.

By agreeing to a seven-year, $86 million extension with Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland picked a new face of the franchise as it gets ready for its move to Las Vegas.

Soderstrom’s deal is about timing as much as talent. His bat took a real step forward in 2025, and the club’s willingness to commit long-term matches that growth.

For a team that’s always churned through stars, this move hints at a shift toward stability. It’s not something we’ve seen from the A’s in a long time.

Soderstrom’s Offensive Growth and Positional Shift

The A’s clearly believe Soderstrom’s bat is just entering its prime. His power and on-base skills improved in 2025, turning him from a promising youngster into a middle-of-the-order threat.

The organization expects those gains to last—or even get better—over the contract. That’s a big bet, but the upside is obvious.

Just as important: his transformation in the field. Soderstrom started out as a catcher and first baseman, but moving to left field unlocked everyday playing time.

That shift let him avoid the physical wear and tear of catching. Oakland now has a more athletic look, and Soderstrom’s offense gets to shine over a full season.

A Cornerstone for the Las Vegas Era

Locking up a homegrown bat is about more than WAR and wRC+. It’s about selling a future.

As the A’s navigate a controversial move to Las Vegas, Soderstrom becomes a marketable, controllable star. He’s someone they can build both a lineup and a brand around.

In practical terms, this extension helps the A’s:

Front Office Momentum: McNeil Trade and Leiter Signing

The Soderstrom extension caps a busy stretch for the club. The A’s also traded for Jeff McNeil and signed right-hander Mark Leiter Jr..

McNeil brings a proven contact bat and defensive versatility. Leiter adds a veteran arm to a pitching staff that badly needed depth.

These moves don’t scream “instant contender.” Still, they show a front office that’s trying to build a more competitive, watchable roster heading into the Vegas era.

Oakland Still Shopping for Starting Pitching

Even with Leiter in the fold, the rotation remains the A’s biggest concern. Their starters struggled all through 2025, and the club’s actions so far show they know one arm won’t fix things.

Oakland will likely stay active in the starting pitching market. That could mean value free-agent signings or trades if the right opportunity pops up.

For a club on a budget, the challenge is finding innings-eaters who won’t block young arms but can steady a staff that was overmatched last season. It’s a tough balance—no way around that.

The Tatsuya Imai Domino

As Oakland keeps searching, much of the league’s attention is on Tatsuya Imai. The Japanese right-hander’s posting window closes on January 2 at 4 p.m. CT.

If he doesn’t reach a deal by then, he heads back to the Seibu Lions for 2026. That would take one of the most intriguing arms off the winter’s supply.

Imai’s market has drawn interest from a cluster of big-name clubs like the Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Orioles, Giants, and Mets. The big question for most teams is the length of commitment; they love the arm, but six-plus years is a major bet for a pitcher jumping from NPB to MLB.

Imai’s Contract Expectations and Market Impact

MLB Trade Rumors projects Imai to land around a six-year, $150 million contract. That price reflects both his upside and the lack of high-end starters out there.

For large-market teams, that number is steep but not out of reach, especially for a pitcher who could front a rotation in his prime. The deadline could nudge Imai to sign before other top starters do, giving him some rare leverage.

Teams that see him as an alternative to the top of the traditional free-agent market might act more aggressively as the posting clock ticks down. It’s a bit of a game of chicken, honestly.

How Imai’s Decision Affects the Rest of the Pitching Class

If Imai signs soon, he could set the financial framework—or at least the competitive context—for other premium arms like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Zac Gallen. Teams missing out on Imai will pivot quickly, maybe driving up demand for that trio.

If no deal is struck and Imai returns to Seibu, the rest of the starters instantly become more valuable. There’d be one fewer top-of-the-rotation option, and several contenders would still be searching for impact pitching.

Hot Stove Heat in a Usually Quiet Week

The last week of the year usually drags on the baseball calendar. Still, this time, long-term extensions and posting deadlines have kept the hot stove quietly buzzing.

Alongside Imai, Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto faces his own clock. That adds some urgency for teams looking abroad.

For the A’s, Soderstrom’s commitment stands out. It shows a franchise trying to move forward with a cornerstone hitter in left field and a bit more of an identity as it looks toward Las Vegas.

Across the league, people wonder if Imai’s decision will spark a rush of pitching moves before 2026 rolls around. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t—but teams are definitely watching.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Opener: Soderstrom, Imai Countdown, Upcoming Moves