This deal happened much faster than many expected. When the Athletics announced a seven-year contract extension with Jacob Wilson, the initial reaction was one of satisfaction. A rookie who had just finished second in the Rookie of the Year race, an All-Star shortstop, a .311 bat—keeping him seemed like a given.
But a closer look reveals more about the Athletics than about Wilson himself.
Seven years, $70 million, with an option for an eighth year. No flashy clauses. No waiting for another breakout season. No letting the market dictate the price. The Athletics chose to lock it in now—and that deliberate haste is what’s noteworthy.
Jacob Wilson didn’t just “play well for a rookie.” He became a key player almost immediately. In the first half of the 2025 season, he played well enough to earn a shortstop starting spot for the American League at the All-Star Game. In the second half, despite playing with a hand injury and taking a short break, he still finished the season averaging .311 — second only to Aaron Judge in the batting title race.
If fully fit, no one doubted Wilson’s performance ceiling would have been even higher.
And A’s understood that.
Interestingly: this wasn’t a value-maximizing contract for the player. If Wilson had waited two or three more seasons, with similar production, the $70 million figure might have been different. But his early signing also shows an unspoken agreement: both sides prioritized stability over price pressure.
For A’s, this stability was strategically significant.
Wilson was part of a young offensive core that helped Oakland become one of the most exciting scoring teams in 2025. Nick Kurtz. Brent Rooker. Shea Langeliers. Tyler Soderstrom. Now, much of that group has been retained throughout the transition to Las Vegas. This is no longer a short-term talent acquisition—it’s a long-term framework.
And Wilson’s contract clearly reflects that philosophy.
The moderate salary allows the A’s to maintain financial flexibility—something they rarely had in the past. It opens the door to adding free agents, especially in pitching, where the young roster still lacks experience. Reports suggest the A’s haven’t stopped there and are still pursuing a veteran starter—a perfectly logical move given the current roster structure.
Even without any more “big signings,” this offseason isn’t empty. The A’s have extended Tyler Soderstrom’s contract. Added Mark Leiter Jr. to the bullpen. And made a splash in the trade market with Jeff McNeil. Not flashy, but deliberate.
The important thing is: the A’s have almost reached their 40-man roster cap. There’s not much room left for short-term gambles. Every decision from here on must serve the bigger picture.
And Jacob Wilson is at the heart of that picture.
By extending his contract early, the A’s aren’t just retaining a good batting shortstop. They’re sending a signal: this team isn’t building around waiting anymore. They’re choosing players they believe can shoulder long-term responsibility—both on the court and during the transition to a new city.
The question is no longer whether Jacob Wilson deserves the contract. The question is: is this the first step toward a phase where the A’s finally dare to act like a team that believes in itself?
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