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The Athletics reportedly gave one of their young stars a lovely Christmas present.
The Athletics and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom signed a seven-year, $86 million contract on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The contract is the largest the team has ever made. The deal also includes an eighth-year membership option and features escalators that bring the maximum contract value to $131 million.
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Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) reacts after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros in the seventh inning at Sutter Wellbeing Park in West Sacramento, California on September 24, 2025. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Immagini)
Soderstrom, 24, broke out in 2025. He debuted in 2023 as a catcher and first baseman, and struggled to hit in his first taste of Main League Baseball, hitting .160 with just three home runs and a .472 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in 45 games.
The Turlock, California native returned to the big leagues in 2024 and was much better. In 61 games, Soderstrom had a .233 batting average with nine home runs, 26 RBI and a .743 OPS while still playing primarily first base.
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Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) reacts after being caught stealing second during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Sutter Wellbeing Park in West Sacramento, California on September 23, 2025. (Sergio Estrada/Imag Images)
In 2025, Soderstrom played primarily left field and thrived at the plate. He started 145 of 158 games played this year – 100 of them in left field – his first full season in the Main League.
In those 158 games, he batted .276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs with an OPS of .820, solidifying himself as a key piece of the Athletics’ young core.
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Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) scores a run during the fifth inning against the Kansas Metropolis Royals at Sutter Wellbeing Park in West Sacramento, California on September 26, 2025. (Sergio Estrada/Imag Images)
Soderstrom was on track to become arbitration-eligible after the 2026 season and free agency after the 2029 season. Instead, he joins outfielder/designated hitter Brent Rooker (five-year, $60 million contract) and outfielder Lawrence Butler (seven-year, $65.5 million contract) as another part of the young, dynamic lineup that is locked in for the long term.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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