After Stunning Baseball World with Luis Severino Signing, A's Eyeing Brent Rooker Extension

The Oakland Athletics have taken the baseball world by surprise by signing right-hander Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million contract. This move marks the largest signing in franchise history, made even more unexpected as the team gears up for a temporary three-year stay in West Sacramento before relocating to their new ballpark in Las Vegas.


Building on this momentum, the A's are now setting their sights on securing an extension for star player Brent Rooker. Manager Mark Kotsay expressed the team's optimism about finalizing a deal, noting that such a move would signify a new direction for the organization in terms of player commitment.


While signing younger or less-established players to extensions is a common strategy across all teams, it's especially significant for lower-spending organizations like the Athletics. Securing cost certainty during a player's arbitration years or extending control into free-agent years can be a major financial advantage, allowing these teams to retain talent without the hefty price tags associated with free agency.


Historically, the Athletics have been conservative with player extensions. The two-year, $33.5 million deal signed by Khris Davis in April 2019 stands out as the only extension in the past decade. In fact, since October 2007, the A's have signed just nine extensions, with only four players—Sean Doolittle, Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, and Kurt Suzuki—receiving deals longer than two years.


With the signing of Severino and the potential extension for Rooker, the Athletics appear to be signaling a shift in their approach to building and maintaining a competitive roster. These moves could lay the groundwork for a more stable and committed team as they transition to their new home in Las Vegas.