After a breakout season in 2025, Turlock High School alumnus Tyler Soderstrom entered the 2026 season with a record-breaking deal with the Athletics.
Last year, Soderstrom collected 155 hits with a .276 batting average, 25 home runs, earning a seven-year, $86 million contract extension in December 2025.
According to Jared Greenspan, a writer and researcher for the MLB, this contract extension can reach up to $131 million with bonus incentives, while the base salary is the largest contract extension in Athletics (A’s) history.
Despite the franchise’s relocation to Las Vegas, the Athletics still see potential within the roster. This past offseason, the organization made a major shift in its willingness to spend money on the team.
Michael Bauman, a writer for Fangraphs, said Athletics owner Josh Fisher appeared committed to building a talented roster, regardless of where the team plays.
“Do I trust that this means John Fisher is committed to bringing a championship team to Las Vegas, like he says? Of course not. I’m not even convinced he’s going to bring a team of any kind to Las Vegas. But this is a decent roster that’s getting better,” Bauman said.
Soderstrom is one of the players the Athletics have invested in, as the organization has committed roughly $280 million toward maintaining its core roster.
Soderstrom started the year on a tear, recording three two-home run games within the first 17 games of the season and becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to accomplish the feat.
Although the Athletics finished with a 76-86 record, the team went 44-37 in the second half of the season, signaling hope for a franchise that has not posted a winning record since 2021 or reached the playoffs since 2020.
According to Fangraphs, Soderstrom improved his overall team contribution across the board as the Athletics played better during the second half of the season.
His late-season surge could be a sign that he does not intend to slow down at the plate, and this spring has been no different.
During spring training, Soderstrom posted a .348 batting average, a .434 on-base percentage and a .761 slugging percentage in 19 games.
According to Fangraphs, Soderstrom also recorded a 203 wRC+, meaning he performed 103% better than the league average hitter. While spring training statistics are not always indicative of regular season success, his performance remains promising.
As expectations rise, the Athletics are looking to make a name for themselves during the 2026 season with the help of new additions alongside Soderstrom, including 2025 American League Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, 2025 All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson and two-time All-Star Jeff McNeil.
