Oakland Athletics agree to 7-Year, $86M deal with Tyler Soderstrom

The Oakland Athletics have reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $86 million deal with Tyler Soderstrom, who can play both left field and first base, according to international media reports on Thursday.

The reports suggest that the contract is almost certain to be fully guaranteed, marking the largest deal in franchise history.

It is also said to include a team option for an eighth season with performance-based escalators, potentially increasing the deal’s value to $131 million.

Soderstrom, 24, comes off a breakout first full season at the Major League level after being selected by the Athletics in the first round (26th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft.

This season, he hit 23 home runs, 34 doubles, and drove in 93 RBIs, scoring 75 runs, while posting a .346 on-base percentage and a .474 slugging percentage over 158 games, including 145 starts.

Defensively, Soderstrom has played 108 games in left field, 49 at first base, and one as a designated hitter, compiling a career fielding percentage of .992.

This signing represents the second major move by the Athletics this week. On Monday, the team also acquired infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil, a former National League batting champion, from the New York Mets in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez.

It is pertinent to mention that Soderstrom started 100 games in left field and ended the season as a Gold Glove Award finalist for the top defensive left fielder in the American League.