Oakland Athletics Secure All-Star Shortstop Jacob Wilson
In a move signaling their commitment to a strong opening-day roster in Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the Oakland Athletics have secured a significant deal with All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson. The contract, which totals $70 million over seven years, will extend Wilson’s tenure with the team through 2032, with an option for the 2033 season.
Strategic Benefits of the Deal
Securing Wilson means the Athletics sidestep potential salary arbitration for the upcoming seasons of 2027, 2028, and 2029, while also keeping Wilson off the free agency market after the 2030 World Series. A celebratory press event is scheduled for Monday in Las Vegas, where both Wilson and the A’s front office will formalize the signing.
Building a Strong Roster
At just 22 years old, Wilson joins a growing list of players locked in with the A’s until at least 2028, the year they plan to open their new ballpark on the famous Las Vegas Strip. This marks a notable trend for the typically frugal franchise, which has also made headlines for signing:
- Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom to a landmark seven-year, $86 million deal (the largest in team history).
- Designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker to a five-year, $60 million contract.
- Outfielder Lawrence Butler to a seven-year, $65.5 million agreement.
Furthermore, manager Mark Kotsay has extended his contract to cover the 2028 season, with an option for 2029.
Recent Acquisitions and Future Plans
Additionally, during this offseason, the Athletics made a strategic acquisition, trading with the New York Mets to bring in seasoned second baseman Jeff McNeil. For the immediate future, Oakland will be playing the next two seasons at a Triple-A facility in West Sacramento, California.
Wilson’s Impressive Performance
Last season, Wilson had an impressive performance, registering a .311 batting average with 13 home runs and 63 runs batted in (RBI), making him the first fan-elected rookie All-Star starting shortstop in baseball history. He also garnered attention in the Rookie of the Year discussions, finishing second to his teammate Nick Kurtz, who was a unanimous choice for the award. The A’s selected Wilson as the sixth pick in the 2023 amateur draft, and his rapid ascent is a promising sign for the franchise’s future.
Contributions to this report were made by AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley.
