A's Lock Down Young Stars with Massive Extensions

Oakland Athletics make bold moves to secure core players ahead of new ballpark opening

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:19am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball stadium scene, with the players, field, and architecture broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying a sense of dynamic movement and energy.The Oakland Athletics' bold extension strategy aims to build a powerhouse roster for their new ballpark, breaking tradition and taking a cubist approach to the future of the franchise.Oakland Today

The Oakland Athletics are making waves in the MLB offseason, announcing a record-breaking 7-year, $86 million extension for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom. But that's just the start, as the A's are now exploring extensions with several other young stars, including catcher Shea Langeliers, Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, and runner-up Jacob Wilson. The team is clearly focused on locking down a core group of talent before their new ballpark opens in 2028, even if it means shattering franchise records.

Why it matters

The A's extension strategy represents a bold and unconventional approach in today's MLB landscape. By prioritizing long-term commitments to their young stars, the team is signaling their intent to build a sustainable contender for the new ballpark era. This could pay dividends in fan engagement and team identity, but also carries significant financial risk if the players don't pan out as expected.

The details

The A's have already announced a 7-year, $86 million extension for Tyler Soderstrom, breaking franchise records. But they're not stopping there. The team is now in extension talks with several other top prospects, including catcher Shea Langeliers, who is projected to earn around $5.1 million in arbitration, as well as Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz and runner-up Jacob Wilson. Kurtz, a client of Excel Sports Management, presents a unique challenge due to the agency's history of avoiding pre-arbitration extensions. The A's are also considering extending younger talents like center fielder Denzel Clarke and starter Luis Morales, though those moves are more speculative.

  • The A's announced Soderstrom's extension on April 10, 2026.
  • The team is currently in extension talks with several other players ahead of the 2028 ballpark opening.

The players

Tyler Soderstrom

A left fielder for the Oakland Athletics who just signed a record-breaking 7-year, $86 million extension with the team.

Shea Langeliers

A top-tier offensive catcher for the Oakland Athletics who is a prime candidate for an extension, with three seasons of arbitration eligibility.

Nick Kurtz

The 2026 Rookie of the Year for the Oakland Athletics, represented by the challenging Excel Sports Management agency.

Jacob Wilson

The runner-up for the 2026 Rookie of the Year award, an elite defensive player the A's are considering extending.

David Forst

The General Manager of the Oakland Athletics, who has confirmed the team's strategy of locking down a core group of young talents before their new ballpark opens in 2028.

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What they’re saying

“We must lock down our young core if we want to build a powerhouse for the new ballpark. These extensions are critical to our long-term success.”

— David Forst, General Manager, Oakland Athletics

“Kurtz and Wilson are two of the most promising young players in the league. Securing them long-term would be a huge statement of intent by the A's.”

— Katie Woo, Oakland Athletics Reporter

What’s next

The judge in the Soderstrom extension case will decide on Tuesday whether to approve the record-breaking deal.

The takeaway

The A's bold extension strategy represents a high-risk, high-reward approach as they aim to build a sustainable contender for their new ballpark. By locking down young stars like Soderstrom, Langeliers, Kurtz, and Wilson, the team is betting big on its future, but the financial commitments could backfire if the players don't live up to expectations.