he’s in the money
Brent Rooker has performed like a superstar the past two seasons and now he’s getting paid like one. Rooker, national player of the year at Mississippi State in 2017, reportedly has been given a 5-year, $60 million contract extension by the (no longer Oakland) A’s. It’s the third largest contract in A’s history, per MLB Network, and includes an option that could push the value to $90 million. Rooker, 30, made $750,000 in 2024, when he batted .293 with 39 homers and 112 RBIs and won a Silver Slugger at DH in the American League. He has belted 69 homers in two seasons with the A’s, who gave him his first regular work after he had bounced around other organizations for three seasons. Armed with his new contract, Rooker will also have a new home in 2025; the A’s, ultimately bound for Las Vegas, will play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., for the foreseeable future. The team went 69-93 last season but has a good, young core that includes ex-State star J.T. Ginn and Ole Miss product Gunnar Hoglund on its pitching staff and ex-Mississippi Braves standout Shea Langeliers behind the plate.