SUMMERLIN, Nev. — The A’s won’t officially be in Las Vegas until 2028, but the franchise has already invested in a promising core of young talent in hopes that it will establish immediate success upon arrival.
After signing Brent Rooker (5 years, $60 million) and Lawrence Butler (7 years, $65.5 million) to major extensions last winter, John Fisher opened up the purse again this offseason, signing Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom to a pair of seven-year extensions worth a combined $156 million. The organization is also trending toward locking up 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, reportedly offering the breakout first baseman a massive long term deal this spring.
RJ Forbus – The Sporting Tribune
Athletics 1B Nick Kurtz (16) starts at first base against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday March 8, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Youth Movement
Rooker is the oldest player of the recently extended bunch at 31, but he’s also the most established with two All-Star appearances and a Silver Slugger award. Butler is the technically the elder in the Athletics’ youth movement at 25 years old, while Soderstrom is 24 and Wilson is 23. Kurtz, who tied for fifth in the AL with 36 home runs in just 117 games last season, is the youngest of them all at just 22.
After improving from 69 to 79 wins last season, the hope in 2026 is that there will be another significant jump that has the team hovering around Wild Card contention. If the process goes according to plan, the A’s will hopefully be playing meaningful baseball as soon as they hit The Strip two years from now.
“We’re definitely headed towards the playoffs,” Wilson said. “Obviously, you see the money that the organization is spending. They’ve put talent on the field to go out there and make a playoff run. I think that in a couple years, when we get here, we’re going to hit the ground running and we’ll have a pretty good team.”
Soderstrom echoed Wilson’s sentiment and made it clear that when the A’s do arrive, they’ll be playing a style of baseball that’s compatible with all of the other worldly entertainment options in the city.
“We’re going to be a fun, exciting team to watch,” Soderstrom said. “We’re going to be young, have great offense. The pitchers are going to be great, so it’ll be a good overall team, and we’re looking forward to it.”
RJ Forbus – The Sporting Tribune
Athletics OF Tyler Soderstrom (21) stands in the box during an MLB Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday March 8, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Turning The Corner
The newfound spending philosophy since the move to Las Vegas became a reality has taken some fans by surprise, but it’s no secret that Fisher and company are trying to build a team that can compete as soon as it officially arrives in the city. Suffice to say, you shouldn’t expect the Las Vegas A’s to operate the way they did in Oakland.
“We signed Wilson and Soderstrom to long term contracts so we can make sure that they’re playing in Vegas,” Fisher said. “When we get here, these kids are going to get better and better. What they’re going to be able to accomplish in Sacramento, and then down the road in 2028 and beyond here in Vegas is going to be amazing.”
While most of the baseball world is understandably bullish about the A’s potential in the coming years, manager Mark Kotsay understands that the team still has a ways to go from turning 79 wins into meaningful playoff contention, but he did acknowledge that the foundation of the franchise’s future has successfully been laid.
“We’re still building on the core,” Kotsay said. “The only statement we made was that we improved from the previous season. We’re adding to the core. These young players seem to really thrive on each other. The culture of that core has come together. We made commitments to two more guys (Soderstrom and Wilson) that will be here in Vegas. That’s exciting, and I think that their expectation themselves is to continue to improve and to go out and win a division.”
RJ Forbus – The Sporting Tribune
Athletics owner John Fisher watches on prior to an MLB Spring Training game at the Las Vegas Ballpark on Sunday March 8, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Joining The Fold
If those expectations come to reality, the A’s have a chance to immediately establish themselves as winners in the city’s rapidly evolving sports ecosystem. In the brief time the players have spent in the city, they’ve already been impressed by the support the local community invests in its team.
“It’s obviously a crazy city, with everything that it has to offer,” Wilson said. “They’ve got some great support for the teams that are here now. Playing here is something that we really look forward to. Sports are important to the city, so we’re excited to show the fans what we got and to be a part of it in a few years.”
While Opening Day 2028 is when doors will officially open at the Las Vegas Strip ballpark, the A’s will be back in town for a six-game homestand against the Brewers and Rockies beginning June 8th and ending on the 14th.