Athletics lock up All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson with a seven-year, $70 million extension

In the latest off-season trades, the Athletics have doubled down on their youth-driven rebuild by signing shortstop Jacob Wilson to a seven-year contract with a reported $70 million, with a club option for the eighth season. The deal, announced late Thursday night, guarantees one of the best young stars in the franchise after a breakout season in 2025 and solidifies the club's long-term core as it gears up for a future move to Las Vegas in 2028.Wilson, 23, the sixth pick overall in the 2023 draft, had a brief big league debut the following year before becoming an All-Star in 2025. The son of former Pirates infielder Jack Wilson, he finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting behind teammate Nick Kurtz following a .311/.355/.444 batting season with 13 home runs, 26 doubles, five steals, and an elite 7.2% strikeout rate.Wilson's calling card is still his bat-to-ball ability. Among 560 big leaguers with at least 40 plate appearances last season, his 7.5% strikeout rate ranked second only to Luis Arraez. While his numbers were not particularly impressive, he did showcase an average exit velocity of 84.6 mph and a 2.2% barrel rate. The righty peppered the field with singles, aided by hitter-friendly conditions in West Sac. In spite of an aggressive approach that yielded a 5.2% walk rate, Wilson's knack to put balls in play has enabled him to hold firm in his on-base numbers. Six of his home runs were on the road, and analysts expect him to stabilize as a hitter with about 10 home runs a year. Defensively, metrics weren’t as flattering. Wilson had minus 10 Defensive Runs Saved and minus 2 Outs Above Average at shortstop, although Statcast credited Wilson with above-average arm strength. However, the Athletics expect him to stay at the position for now, with top prospect Leo De Vries still developing in the minors.The extension purchases two of Wilson's future free agent seasons as well as an option for a third, eclipsing similar early career deals signed by Ezequiel Tovar and teammate Lawrence Butler. It is the second-largest franchise history, behind only Tyler Soderstrom's seven-year, $86 million deal. Wilson joins Soderstrom, Butler, and Brent Rooker, who signed to a five-year, $60 million deal, in the list of long-term commitments the Athletics have been making. The club still has not reached an agreement with Nick Kurtz, who crushed 36 homers in 117 games last season, but controls him for five more years.With its CBT payroll now reportedly up to $139 million, the franchise has been able to overcome the scrutiny of previous revenue sharing while shifting attention to the task of upgrading a pitching staff headed by prospects Gage Jump and Jamie Arnold. For now, Wilson's agreement remains the most recent indication that the Athletics have their eyes set on building and holding a competitive young nucleus.