A’s give out another big contract ahead of first season in West Sacramento
The Athletics are continuing their spending spree ahead of their planned temporary stay in West Sacramento and eventual move to Las Vegas.
The team on Monday announced a seven-year contract extension for Lawrence Butler, reportedly worth $65.5 million. The deal, widely reported last week, has him signed through 2031 with a club option for 2032.
Butler, 24, emerged as one of the most promising young outfielders in baseball last year when recorded a .898 OPS with 13 home runs and 12 stolen bases over the second half of last season while helping the A’s to a 32-32 record after the All-Star break.
He finished the season hitting .262 with 22 home runs, 57 RBI and 18 stolen bases despite starting the season hitting .179 through the end of June.
The A’s have inked players to three of the largest contracts in franchise history this offseason, which has drawn ire from their fans in their former market in Oakland. The team during owner John Fisher’s tenure beginning in 2005 had been known as one of the lowest spending in baseball — but in getting its share of revenue sharing back this offseason, the team has been forced to dole out the dollars.
The team began the offseason by signing projected ace Luis Severino to a three-year, $67-million contract on Dec. 5. Then slugger Brent Rooker, who won a Silver Slugger award for designated hitters in 2024, signed a five-year, $60 million pact on Jan. 8.
The deals for Severino, Rooker and now Butler are all close to the six-year, $66-million contract signed by former Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez. That deal was the largest in A’s history from when it was signed in 2004 to when Severino inked his contract, nearly 21 years later.
Butler as of Monday was off to a strong start in spring training ahead of the team’s first season playing at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Through eight preseason appearances, he’s collected 10 hits in 23 at-bats, good for a .455 batting average with two home runs, two doubles and five RBIs.
The A’s begin the season March 27 on the road against the Seattle Mariners. They’ll play their first home game in West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park on March 31 when they host the Chicago Cubs.
