Athletics Extend Long-Term Deal to Rookie Star Nick Kurtz

The Oakland Athletics lock up their young core, offering a lucrative contract to last year's AL Rookie of the Year.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Oakland Athletics have extended a long-term contract offer to Nick Kurtz, the team's standout rookie who won American League Rookie of the Year in 2025. This move follows similar extensions granted to other young Athletics stars, signaling the team's commitment to building around its homegrown talent.

Why it matters

Offering extensions to promising young players before they reach arbitration is becoming more common across MLB, as teams look to control costs, foster stability, and avoid contentious negotiations. The Athletics' proactive approach with Kurtz and other core players reflects their long-term vision for the franchise.

The details

Kurtz's breakout 2025 season, which included 36 home runs, 86 RBIs, and a 1.002 OPS, immediately established him as a centerpiece of the Athletics' lineup. His historic four-homer game against the Astros further cemented his status as a rising star. Securing Kurtz long-term is a clear priority for the organization.

  • Kurtz was named the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year.
  • On July 25, 2025, Kurtz hit four home runs in a single game against the Houston Astros.

The players

Nick Kurtz

The 2025 American League Rookie of the Year, Kurtz emerged as a star slugger for the Oakland Athletics with his impressive power numbers and historic performance.

Lawrence Butler

A young outfielder who has also received a long-term contract extension from the Athletics, signaling the team's commitment to its homegrown talent.

Tyler Soderstrom

A promising young player who has been extended by the Athletics, further demonstrating the team's strategy of locking up its core players.

Jacob Wilson

Another Athletics player who has received a long-term contract extension, contributing to the team's efforts to build a sustainable, homegrown roster.

Brent Rooker

A key part of the Athletics' young core, Rooker has also been extended by the team as they look to secure their promising players for the long term.

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What’s next

The Athletics are expected to continue their efforts to lock up their young core, with more contract extensions potentially on the horizon as the team looks to build a sustainable, competitive roster for the long term.

The takeaway

The Athletics' proactive approach to securing their young talent, exemplified by the long-term extension offer to Nick Kurtz, reflects a broader trend in MLB of teams prioritizing the development and retention of homegrown players. This strategy aims to foster stability, control costs, and build a foundation for sustained success.