The Athletics managed to get a massive contract extension done this winter, signing Tyler Soderstrom, a 24-year-old outfielder coming off a strong 2025 season, to an extension.
His new deal is a seven-year, $86 million deal. While incentives can boost that number a lot higher, the A's got a bargain for his services.
But why did he sign such a deal? Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic revealed some insight into why Soderstrom accepted such a team-friendly deal. The reason is an unfortunate lesson a different Soderson experienced in MLB.
Tyler Soderstrom accepted team-friendly A's deal thanks to his father's MLB experience
"Tyler Soderstrom is someone who could have shunned talks about an extension," Woo and Sammon write. "... For some, security holds significant meaning. Soderstrom should know. Soderstrom's father, Steve, was a first-round pick in 1993. Injuries derailed Steve's pitching career. In the Major Leagues, he lasted just 10 days."
That experience, of Soderstrom's father failing to stay in the Major Leagues despite having the talent, is part of why the A's and Tyler were able to agree to this contract.
Soderstrom wanted security, and this new deal also provides him the ability to earn even more money in the long run. There's a club option for 2033, and escalators in this deal, which could net the 24-year-old another $45 million.
He's signed for the next seven years, and through the 2033 season, thanks to the club option. This deal isn't a small one, but for a young star of his caliber, this is a quality deal for the A's.
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But Soderstrom is accepting such a team-friendly contract, with incentives, thanks in part to the experience his father had in his Major League career.
His 2025 breakout season was impressive. He had 25 home runs, 34 doubles, 155 hits, 75 runs scored, 93 RBIs, a.276 average and an.820 OPS with 4.3 bWAR in 158 games.
After playing just 45 and 61 games the years before 2025, Soderstrom is cashing in on a great season with a team-friendly $87 million, seven-year deal.
But the young A's outfielder clearly values security based on his father's MLB career, and while not the sole reason for accepting this offer, it likely played a big part in his decision to sign this extension.
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