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Athletics reportedly gave one of their young stars a very nice Christmas present.
The Athletics and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The contract is the largest team ever issued. The deal also includes an eighth-year club option and escalators that bring the maximum contract value to $131 million.
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Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) reacts after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros in the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 24, 2025. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)
Soderstrom, 24, broke onto the field in 2025. He debuted in 2023 as a catcher and first baseman and struggled to hit in his first game in Major League Baseball, hitting .160 with just three home runs and a .472 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in 45 games.
The Turlock, California native returned to the big leagues in 2024 and performed much better. In 61 games, Soderstrom had a .233 batting average with nine home runs, 26 RBIs and a .743 OPS, while still primarily playing first base.
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Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) reacts after being caught stealing during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, September 23, 2025. (Sergio Estrada/Imagn Images)
In 2025, Soderstrom played primarily left field and excelled at the plate. He started 145 of the 158 games played this year — 100 of them in left field — in his first full season in the major leagues.
In those 158 games, he batted .276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs with an OPS of .820, cementing his role as a key player athletics young core.
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Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) scores during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 26, 2025. (Sergio Estrada/Imagn Images)
Soderstrom was on track to become arbitration eligible after the 2026 season and free agency after the 2029 season. Instead, he joins outfielder/designated hitter Brent Rooker (five-year, $60 million deal) and outfielder Lawrence Butler (seven-year, $65.5 million deal) as another part of a young, dynamic lineup that's built for the long haul.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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