The Athletics have just made a quiet but significant move: a seven-year, $70 million contract extension with shortstop Jacob Wilson, with a team clause for an eighth season. On paper, it’s an early signing for a young player. In reality, it’s how the Athletics are shaping the framework for the future — and for the upcoming Las Vegas era.
At 23, Wilson has done what very few rookies have done: become the centerpiece of an MLB roster in his first full season. His 2025 season wasn’t a flashy burst of power, but it was formidable for its consistency. He shot .311 — third in the American League — with 151 hits, 13 home runs, 63 RBIs, 62 runs, and 5 stolen bases in 125 games. Slash line .311/.355/.444 for .800 OPS and 121 OPS+, earning a 3.0 WAR.
What caught other teams’ attention wasn’t the total number of home runs. It was his exceptional ball contact. Wilson only struck out 39 times all season, walked 27 times, and consistently produced multi-hit games. He maintained an average above .300 for almost the entire season, was voted All-Star by fans, and only lost to teammate Nick Kurtz in the Rookie of the Year race.
Even a forearm fracture that kept him out of action didn’t diminish his overall performance. Upon his return, Wilson maintained his pace—and showed power potential exceeding pre-season predictions.
Therefore, A’s early intervention was no surprise. If they waited a few more years, Wilson would enter arbitration with an increasingly impressive track record, and his contract value could balloon rapidly. By signing now, Athletics are buying stability in advance, avoiding three years of arbitration and retaining a key shortstop until at least 2032, with an option for 2033.
The context makes this trade even more noteworthy. Athletics are known for their tight spending, but the last two seasons have shown a clear shift: Tyler Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler — and now Jacob Wilson. These aren’t random cash throws. This is a strategy to solidify the core of the roster before moving into a new market where expectations and pressure will skyrocket.
In terms of individual development, Wilson is doing everything right. He’s spending offseason training at the team’s facilities to build strength for 2026 and beyond. With an already elite bat-to-ball foundation and a solid shortstop defense, just a little more power would significantly expand his potential.
Looking back at his journey: selected 6th overall in the 2023 Draft, debuting mid-season in 2024, and then exploding in 2025. Over two MLB seasons, Wilson has averaged .301, 174 hits, 13 home runs, and nearly 3 WARs. That’s not a “decent” start — it’s the start of a cornerstone.
The 7-year, $70 million contract might seem “club-friendly” today. But if Wilson continues on his current trajectory, it could be considered one of the smartest contract extensions of the decade. And for A’s, the message is clear: their future is in Jacob Wilson’s name.
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