The Athletics are on their way to locking down a full batting order before they get to Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
They have agreed with second-year shortstop Jacob Wilson to a seven-year, $70 million deal, ESPN reported Friday.<\/p>\n
The team is scheduled to move to a stadium on the Strip in time for the 2028 MLB season.<\/p>\n
The deal comes almost a month after outfielder Tyler Soderstrom signed a seven-year, $86 million contract extension, which was the largest guaranteed contract in franchise history.<\/p>\n
ESPN said the deal for Wilson, 23, has an eighth-year club option.<\/p>\n
Wilson finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting last season behind teammate Nick Kurtz. Wilson hit .311 with 63 RBIs.<\/p>\n
Wilson will become the fourth core A\u2019s player to sign a long-term deal in the past year. Besides Soderstrom, the team previously signed right fielder Lawrence Butler to a seven-year, $65.5 million contract and designated hitter Brent Rooker to a five-year, $60 million contract.<\/p>\n
Catcher Shea Langeliers will likely be the Athletics\u2019 next long-term target. He has 88 home runs and 234 RBIs over three seasons.<\/p>\n
The A\u2019s also could also try to lock up Kurtz at first base. His Rookie of the Year season was highlighted by a .290 batting average with 36 homers and 96 RBIs.<\/p>\n
The Wilson deal all but assures the A\u2019s will have Wilson, Soderstrom, Butler, Rooker, Langeliers and Kurtz for the first few seasons in Las Vegas. Only Langeliers would become a free agent after the 2028 season if he does not receive a long-term deal.<\/p>\n