Athletics Lock Up All-Star Jacob Wilson With Seven-Year Extension

On January 30, 2026, the Oakland Athletics made a decisive move to secure their future, announcing a seven-year, $70 million contract extension with All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson. The deal, which includes a club option for an eighth year through 2033, marks a major commitment to one of Major League Baseball’s brightest young stars and signals a new era for the franchise as it prepares for its upcoming relocation to Las Vegas.

Wilson, just 23 years old, is coming off a sensational rookie campaign in 2025. After being selected sixth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Grand Canyon University—where his father, Jack Wilson, coached and enjoyed a 12-year MLB career himself—Jacob wasted little time making his mark. Debuting in July 2024, he quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Athletics’ lineup, and by 2025, he was a household name among baseball fans.

In his first full season, Wilson slashed .311/.355/.444, tallying 151 hits, 13 home runs, 63 RBIs, 62 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 125 games and 486 at-bats. His .311 batting average ranked third in the American League, and his 7.2% strikeout rate was the second-lowest among all big leaguers with at least 40 plate appearances—trailing only perennial batting champion Luis Arraez. Wilson’s 3.0 WAR and 121 OPS+ underscored his immediate impact, while his elite bat-to-ball skills and aggressive approach at the plate drew praise from coaches and analysts alike.

“It’s definitely been the main focus for the last couple of offseasons now,” Wilson told MLB.com when asked about his development. “Being able to grow into my body a little bit more and put on more muscle. I’ve been at the A’s facility for the entire offseason now, working with the strength staff to get stronger and prepare my body for the long season ahead.”

Wilson’s season was not without adversity. He missed time due to a fractured forearm but still managed to maintain a batting average above .300 throughout the year, impressing evaluators with his consistency and resilience. He was rewarded with a starting spot in the American League All-Star Game, making history as the first fan-elected rookie shortstop to earn such an honor. By season’s end, he finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting, narrowly edged out by his teammate Nick Kurtz, who put together a monster season of his own.

Defensively, Wilson’s metrics were a mixed bag. While Statcast credited him with well above-average arm strength and he showcased flashes of acrobatic brilliance, advanced stats like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average suggested room for improvement, particularly in his range. Some scouts have speculated that a move to second or third base could be in his future, especially with top prospect Leo De Vries waiting in the wings. For now, though, Wilson is expected to reprise his role as the A’s everyday shortstop in 2026.

The Athletics’ front office has been busy this offseason, aiming to build a sustainable contender around a core of young, controllable talent. In addition to Wilson’s extension, the club has signed outfielder Tyler Soderstrom to a seven-year, $86 million deal, extended outfielders Lawrence Butler (seven years, $65.5 million) and Brent Rooker (five years, $60 million), and added second baseman Jeff McNeil via trade. Reliever Mark Leiter Jr. also joined the team on a one-year contract. Together with Kurtz, Soderstrom, Butler, Rooker, and catcher Shea Langeliers, Wilson forms the nucleus of a lineup the Athletics hope will power them back to the postseason for the first time since 2020.

“This truly is a new era for the team as it finally feels like we can get attached to some of these guys,” wrote one Athletics blogger, echoing the sentiment of a fan base that has endured years of roster turnover and uncertainty. The franchise, which is currently playing its second season in Sacramento, plans to move to a state-of-the-art stadium in Las Vegas by 2028. Owner John Fisher has responded by expanding the payroll to an estimated $90 million for Opening Day 2026, nearing the franchise’s all-time high.

Wilson’s contract extension not only provides cost certainty for the A’s but also buys out his remaining pre-arbitration and arbitration years, as well as two years of would-be free agency. It stands as the second-largest deal in franchise history, trailing only Soderstrom’s recent pact. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the $70 million guarantee is one of the largest ever for a player with under two years of big league service, surpassing deals for similar young stars like Ezequiel Tovar and trailing only Michael Harris II’s eight-year, $72 million contract in Atlanta.

Despite the excitement around the offense, questions remain about the Athletics’ pitching staff. The team is banking on top prospects Gage Jump and Jamie Arnold—both ranked among the game’s top 50—to bolster the rotation in the coming seasons. In 2025, the A’s finished with a 76-86 record, a seven-game improvement over the previous year, and posted a 35-29 mark after the All-Star break, hinting at the potential for a breakthrough campaign as the club eyes contention in 2026.

Wilson’s rise from top draft pick to cornerstone shortstop has been rapid and remarkable. He hit .393/.439/.601 in the minors before debuting in 2024, and through two big league seasons, he owns a .301 average with 174 hits, 13 homers, and 2.8 career WAR. His contact-first approach, combined with surprising pop and defensive flair, has made him a fan favorite and a symbol of hope for a franchise in transition.

As the Athletics continue to lock up their young core, the focus now shifts to securing first baseman Nick Kurtz, whose prodigious power and Rookie of the Year campaign make him a prime candidate for the next long-term extension. General manager David Forst has expressed optimism about retaining both Kurtz and Langeliers, ensuring that the team’s promising window remains open for years to come.

With Wilson’s signature on the dotted line, the Athletics have taken a bold step toward stability and competitiveness. As they prepare for life in Las Vegas, fans can finally dream of a future built around homegrown stars—one where jerseys bearing the names Wilson, Soderstrom, Butler, Rooker, and Kurtz become staples in the stands. For now, the A’s faithful can savor the certainty that their All-Star shortstop will be leading the charge for seasons to come.