The Oakland Athletics have secured their young outfielder Lawrence Butler with a seven-year contract extension worth $66.5 million, according to ESPN. The deal includes one club option and pays out the final two years of his free agent status. Butler had a breakout season last year, hitting .262/.317/.490 with 22 homers and 18 stolen bases.
A sixth-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Butler represents a significant player development win for the A’s. The team has been active in the offseason, signing All-Star designated hitter Brent Rooker to a five-year deal worth $60 million earlier this week. They have also added starting pitcher Luis Severino on a three-year contract worth $67 million and third baseman Gio Urshela.
While these moves may not make the A’s a contender, they could push the team into the next tier of MLB squads. With their upcoming relocation to Las Vegas, the Athletics have every reason to invest in building a respectable team for their new home crowd.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/as-outfielder-lawrence-butler-agrees-to-7-year-655-million-extension-per-report-044325150.html