A’s, Tyler Soderstrom Agree on 7 Year/$86M Contract Extension

Just last off-season the A’s set a new franchise record when they guaranteed Luis Severino $67M. That figure now ranks second. ESPN and others are reporting that A’s and Tyler Soderstrom have agreed on an extension that is guaranteed for 7 years and $86M, with an 8th year club option and escalators that could push the deal as high as $131M.

Soderstrom’s breakout 2025 season came from every angle. His .276/.346/.474 line was good for a 125 wRC+ and as the season progressed he mastered his biggest weakness: LHP. Using the left side of the infield and outfield more, Soderstrom put up solid L on L numbers in the second half and actually finished with slightly above league average numbers (.270/.315/.423, 103 wRC+)

But perhaps it was defensively where Soderstrom most surprised and impressed. He opened the season as the A’s 1Bman but abruptly moved to LF April 23rd when Nick Kurtz was called up to play 1B. Soderstrom, who had never played the OF before at any level, took to it like a Denzelope in heat and wound up as a gold glove finalist in LF with +10 DRS/+5 OAA.

In his age 23 season, his first full season in the big leagues, Soderstrom finished with 3.4 fWAR. Clearly the A’s believe in his ability to maintain or exceed that production going forward. The contract runs through at least Soderstrom’s age 30 season, age 31 if the club option is exercised.

As for payroll implications, Soderstrom was poised to earn league minimum ($700K). We will see exactly how the contract is structured but it comes to an average of $12.29M/year so one can pencil in that payroll just jumped about $12M.

Congratulations Tyler, congratulations A’s, and a Merry Christmas to us whether we celebrate that particular holiday or not. And how fitting that the A’s inked their LFer to a big contract extension on Rickey Henderson’s birthday.