The Athletics have made it a point of emphasis to retain some of their young talent, and the organization has put that emphasis to work by locking up the likes of Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, and Lawrence Butler to long-term deals.
On Friday, the Athletics kept that train rolling by extending shortstop Jacob Wilson to a seven-year, $70 million contract, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The deal has an eighth-year club option. Wilson is just 23 and finished second in the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year race, behind his teammate Nick Kurtz.
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Athletics Extend Jacob Wilson to $70 Million Deal
The Athletics continue to prove that they are not a frugal organization, and they now have just one piece of their young core (Nick Kurtz) left to extend, but the Athletics’ Rookie of the Year winner, Kurtz, is still under team control for several years.
Jacob Wilson will now be a staple of this Athletics lineup for years to come.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 27: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics throws to first to force out Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) during the first inning at Daikin Park on May 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Over 125 games in 2025, Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs, 26 doubles, and an OPS+ of 121. He was named to the All-Star team in his first full MLB season. He’s also known for being very slick with the glove, and that’s also likely a big reason why this deal got done.
Wilson debuted in 2024 but only saw 28 games, and he was given the shortstop position from day one in 2025. Wilson’s father, Jack, had a 12-year MLB career.
The Athletics have made other moves this offseason that include: trading for Jeff McNeil, signing Mark Leiter Jr., and extending Tyler Soderstrom.
This Athletics team will be one of the most exciting offenses on paper.
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Athletics’ 2026 Outlook
The Athletics will spend the 2026 season in western Sacramento again, which bodes well for their offense, but the thing that may hold them back is a lack of arms when other good MLB teams come into town.
However, they will be a very interesting team in 2026. Led by Nick Kurtz and Brent Rooker, who appear to be 30+ home runs/season players, and paired with a solid surrounding cast of Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, McNeil, etc., the Athletics might have a playoff push in them.
Especially in the AL West division, where a lot of the teams, aside from the Mariners, have big question marks going into the season.
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Athletics Sign Jacob Wilson to $70 Million Deal