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A Strategic Move for the Athletics![\"Sep](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/530b28c0cfe4c44822e3c11e4d681ed8.jpeg\"\/)
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Sep 24, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) jogs towards the dugout against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The extension offer illustrates the Athletics\u2019 commitment to retaining homegrown talent as they continue rebuilding toward sustained contention. The A\u2019s front office has already made extension agreements with several young core players, including Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, and Jacob Wilson, signaling a broader strategy of locking in building blocks early.<\/p>\n
According to the reports, the details of the extension on the table for Kurtz remain undisclosed, and discussions are ongoing. It\u2019s unclear how close the two sides are to finalizing a deal, though Kurtz himself has expressed a positive attitude about the possibility.<\/p>\n
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In comments to The Athletic, Kurtz said he is \u201cdefinitely open and interested\u201d in a long-term extension, stressing that timing is an important factor in negotiations. One of the best young hitters in MLB could be locked up for many years.<\/p>\n
Why This Matters<\/p>\n
Kurtz\u2019s rapid ascent \u2014 from a top draft pick to rookie superstar \u2014 has given the Athletics a rare opportunity to lock up a premium bat before he reaches free agency or arbitration. Clubs often extend young stars like Kurtz to buy out years of arbitration eligibility and provide cost certainty, while players can enjoy financial security earlier in their careers.<\/p>\n
For the A\u2019s, having a long-term deal in place with Kurtz \u2014 assuming both sides reach an agreement \u2014 would solidify the heart of their lineup and send a clear message about their vision going forward. It\u2019s also significant given the franchise\u2019s upcoming relocation plans, as they aim to build momentum and fan engagement in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
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What\u2019s Next![\"Apr](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ea14622a4dacf8be9b98a616ec59e8f4.jpeg\"\/)
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Apr 23, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) takes off his helmet after a play against the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Both sides are expected to continue negotiations throughout spring training. While it\u2019s possible that Kurtz could sign before MLB Opening Day, the final terms \u2014 including contract length and total value \u2014 will likely be key sticking points. As one of baseball\u2019s most promising young hitters, Kurtz has leverage and a bright future, whether he signs early or tests the arbitration process first.<\/p>\n
No matter how this chapter plays out, the extension offer reflects the Athletics\u2019 eagerness to make Kurtz a central figure in their long-term plans \u2014 a rare and exciting position for a franchise still rebuilding its identity.<\/p>\n
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\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n NFL: 4 blockbuster NFL trades we want to see before the 2026 draft<\/a><\/p>\n OLYMPICS: Most talked-about Olympic romances from 2026 Winter Games<\/a><\/p>\n NBA: Andrew Friedman, other Dodgers execs get new roles with Lakers after $10 billion sale<\/a><\/p>\n SPORTS MEDIA: USA men\u2019s hockey draws record Olympic gold medal TV viewership<\/a><\/p>\n ENTERTAINMENT: Martin Short\u2019s daughter Katherine tragically dies at age 42<\/a><\/p>\n VIRAL: Pat McAfee makes stunning gesture during Team USA\u2019s $150K Gold medal celebration<\/a><\/p>\n The post MLB star player could sign massive long-term extension after just one big league season<\/a> appeared first on The Big Lead<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Athletics have taken a major step toward securing one of their brightest young stars for the future,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":602943,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2391],"tags":[537,5,10454,39,54,1950,4810,4,3226,459,8980,69,1949,544,35202],"class_list":["post-602942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-athletics","tag-athletics","tag-baseball","tag-contract-extension","tag-dodgers","tag-houston-astros","tag-jacob-wilson","tag-lawrence-butler","tag-mlb","tag-mlb-athletics","tag-nick-kurtz","tag-sutter-health-park","tag-texas-rangers","tag-the-athletics","tag-tyler-soderstrom","tag-young-stars"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116163423673166794","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/602942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=602942"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/602942\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/602943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=602942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=602942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=602942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}