Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract, with a club option for an eighth season and performance escalators that could raise the total value to $131 million, sources told ESPN. This marks the largest contract in franchise history for one of 2025’s breakout stars.
Soderstrom, 24, excelled in his first full season with the A’s, posting a .276/.346/.474 line with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs. Transitioning from catcher and first base to full-time left field, he combined a powerful left-handed swing with above-average defensive skills, becoming a cornerstone for the team as it prepares for its 2028 move to Las Vegas.
With designated hitter Brent Rooker and right fielder Lawrence Butler already under contract through at least 2030, Soderstrom’s deal, negotiated by Paragon Sports, secures another foundational player for the Athletics. The contract includes a $12.3 million annual guarantee, ranking among the top 10 for players with two-plus years of service, and ensures the team retains him through his prime, buying out his remaining pre-free agency years along with four additional free-agent years.
The A’s, who will play their second straight season in a minor league stadium in Sacramento, aim to enter Las Vegas with a competitive core. Last year, a $67 million deal for pitcher Luis Severino had already set a new franchise record. With Soderstrom, Rooker, Butler, AL Rookie of the Year first baseman Nick Kurtz, standout rookie Jacob Wilson, catcher Shea Langeliers, center fielder Denzel Clarke, and recent acquisition Jeff McNeil, the Athletics could field one of the league’s most formidable lineups.
Soderstrom, the son of former Giants pitcher Steve Soderstrom and a 2020 first-round pick, quickly advanced through the minors and debuted at 21. While his primary position was initially expected to be catcher or first base, his athleticism and instincts prompted a move to left field, where he has excelled defensively while maintaining a potent bat.
Among the A’s regulars—Soderstrom, Kurtz, Rooker, Langeliers, and Wilson—the team had five hitters with OPS at least 20% above the league average, a rare feat in MLB. Soderstrom’s new contract is also notable among young players; only outfielders like Fernando Tatis Jr., Mike Trout, and Yordan Alvarez have signed deals with higher total or annual value within the two-plus years of service class.
