Why Mark Kotsay, David Forst are excited about future of Athletics’ young core originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Mark Kotsay has much to look forward to during the 2026 MLB season with an excellent young core of position players established on the Athletics.

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First baseman Nick Kurtz and shortstop Jacob Wilson finished first and second, respectively, for AL Rookie of the Year. Tyler Soderstrom made a leap after moving to the outfield, and Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler remained solid in 2025.

Kotsay specifically named those six players as key pieces moving forward.

“You get those six guys in that core group kind of going forward together, I think that the continuity, the culture can only elevate our success,” Kotsay told reporters Tuesday during MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando.

Rooker and Butler will be locked in for the foreseeable future. Rooker signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension in January, the largest annual value of any contract extension in franchise history. Two months later, Butler signed his extension for seven years, earning $65.5 million.

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Kotsay hopes the trend continues.

“There’s a big effort there to keep this group together, there really is. I know ownership is making that effort…” Kotsay said. “If you look at the group prior to this that you could identify as a group you want to move forward with, the group that came together in ‘17 and ‘18 and ‘19 – the resources weren’t there to keep that group together.

“I think there’s a vision and a future here going forward with this group that we’re able to at least get those opportunities out in front of these players. At the same point, it takes two to come to the table and reach that agreement and make that commitment.”

A’s general manager David Forst has echoed the manager’s hope this offseason to maintain that young core, according to MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos.

The A’s, under current ownership, have not been known as a team that spends much on contract extensions or free agency. But, with the Rooker and Butler extensions along with the free agent signing of Luis Severino, that trend could be changing.

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Kotsay notes that negotiations can be tough with young players reaching their breakout.

“I’ve sat in those shoes to make that commitment prior to really hitting a pinnacle in your career and taking advantage of that opportunity monetarily,” Kotsay explained. “But we’re hopeful that we can get it done, and I think we’ve got two guys that have made that commitment that are really supportive and that will push to get their teammates on board.”