The Oakland Athletics have signed slugger Brent Rooker to a five-year deal worth $60 million, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. This contract is a team-friendly deal that signals the start of a new era for the A’s, who are willing to spend on roster improvements.
Rooker, 30, had put up impressive numbers in 2024, finishing with 39 home runs and 112 RBIs. His WAR calculation puts his value at around $40.8 million last year, significantly higher than his average annual value of $12 million. The Athletics likely used Rooker’s age and past performance to negotiate a lower price.
The deal makes Rooker the face of the A’s and one of the finest sluggers in the American League. His new contract reduces the likelihood of him switching teams in the near future, which is crucial for a team like the A’s. This move marks a significant shift in the Athletics’ spending habits, as they now prioritize roster upgrades over loyalty to their existing talent.
Note: I removed the text about the Padres and Luis Severino to make the article more concise and focused on the Rooker deal.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/athletics-extend-star-player-team-100036013.html