According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Athletics have signed designated hitter Brent Rooker to a five-year contract extension worth $60 million. The contract includes a sixth-year vesting option at $22 million which could be further increased. This new extension will now pay Rooker $30 million over the next three seasons which would have been his arbitration years. Earlier this offseason, both sides were showing interest in an extension and were able to get it done. Since joining the Athletics in 2023, Rooker has turned his career around. In 2023, he launched 30 home runs with a .246/.329/.488 line. Last summer, he continued to improve as he launched a career-best 39 home runs with 11 stolen bases and a .293/.365/.562 line. Under the hood, he generated a stellar .380 xwOBA and .557 xSLG. Despite being a utility only player on most platforms, he remains a top target for power in all fantasy formats.
The Athletics plan to keep outfielder Brent Rooker this offseason despite speculation that he might be moved. "We're going to keep Rooker," general manager David Forst said. Rooker is one of the team's best bargaining chips, but they are going to hang onto him after posting a second straight strong season in 2024 with a .293/.365/.562 slash line and .927 OPS to go along with career-highs in home runs (39), RBI (112), stolen bases (11) and runs scored (82) in 614 plate appearances and 145 games played. The 30-year-old underwent surgery on his right forearm in early October for an injury he had played through for much of the year. The good news is that Rooker is expected to be fully healthy for spring training in 2025 and will be a popular outfield target in fantasy despite playing for the lowly A's.
Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (forearm) underwent right-forearm extensor surgery earlier this week, according to Athletics general manager David Forst. Rooker had been dealing with an elbow issue all year, though it did not hinder his ability to hit. The 29-year-old hadn't played in the field since May 30, so if it affected his throwing abilities, it would not have been noticed over the last few months. Rooker had an incredible season at the plate, hitting for a 165 OPS+. Should his recovery from surgery go well and if he doesn't experience any setbacks, Rooker will be a prime target in fantasy drafts, as his bat will continue to drive value for the A's as they move into Sacramento for the 2025 season. Dynasty managers shouldn't worry about Rooker's surgery much given that it didn't affect his ability to hit. Assuming all goes well, he'll continue to be one of the strongest bats in the A's lineup.
Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker continued his stellar campaign during Thursday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The 29-year-old took Bryan Woo deep in the fifth inning and then homered off Andres Munoz in the ninth inning to cap off a four RBI day for Rooker. He has been hitting everything at the plate as he extended his hitting streak to nine games on Thursday. Rooker is slashing .298/.372/.587 with 35 long balls and 97 RBI this season. Fantasy managers can continue to ride his bat into the postseason.
Brent Rooker Homers Saturday In 9-5 Loss To Milwaukee
Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker homered and knocked in three runs on Saturday in a 9-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. It was his 30th home run, matching his total from 2023. The veteran outfielder is hitting .289 with 30 home runs, 87 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 62 runs scored. After hitting 11 home runs in July, Rooker has cooled some in August, hitting .269 with four home runs and 10 RBI. The star will remain a mainstay down the stretch for Oakland, and he will look to continue his great season in the series finale on Sunday against veteran Frankie Montas.
The Oakland Athletics placed designated hitter Brent Rooker on the paternity list on Wednesday and recalled infielder Armando Alvarez from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. The club also outrighted left-hander Kyle Muller to Vegas after he cleared waivers. Rooker will most likely miss the final two games of the series in New York against the Mets, but he should be back at some point this weekend in Oakland to face the visiting San Francisco Giants. Miguel Andujar is serving as the A's DH on Wednesday and will bat second, while Darell Hernaiz is making another start at third base while batting eighth against Mets left-hander David Peterson. The 29-year-old Rooker has been Oakland's best hitter in 2024, slashing .293/.367/.583 with a .950 OPS, 29 homers, 83 RBI and seven steals in 105 games. Fantasy managers will be without him the next few days.
Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker provided the only scoring against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday evening with a solo home run in a 1-0 victory. Rooker connected in the sixth inning against rookie Yariel Rodriguez. It was his 29th home run of the season. The veteran outfielder has been outstanding this year, hitting .290 with 29 home runs, 82 RBI, seven stolen bases and 57 runs scored on the season. Rooker will look to keep the great season going in the series finale tomorrow against Chris Bassitt on Sunday afternoon.
Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker continued his impressive season with another big game on Sunday. The 29-year-old slugger smacked a three-run double off right-hander Jose Soriano to help give his team a 4-0 lead. He would later add another hit to his total in what was a 2-for-4 day with three RBI In the loss. Rooker is now slashing .296/.370/.587 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI this season. He appears to be one of the best hitters available at the upcoming trade deadline. It remains to be seen if the A's are committed to actually moving him.
Oakland Unlikely To Deal Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday At Deadline
Oakland Athletics outfielders Brent Rooker and JJ Bleday are unlikely to be dealt at the trade deadline, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman reports that with the recent surge in production in both outfielders and with closer Mason Miller (finger) on the 15-day IL, the Athletics are likely to have a quiet deadline. Rooker has enjoyed an incredible July where he has posted an outstanding .389/.465/.861 line with 10 home runs, 25 RBI, four stolen bases, and an 11:14 BB:K ratio. Bleday tallied eight doubles in a 10-game span earlier in July and sits with 30 on the season. Rooker was especially a popular name in trade discussions and could have been the highest impact bat dealt next week. This recent report suggests that the Athletics see both of these outfielders as part of the future of the team.
Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker stayed hot on Friday night, smacking another home run, his 25th on the season, in a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The A's always seem to have a diamond in the rough on their squad every season, and this year, it's Rooker. He currently sits at 25 home runs in the year in which he had 30 of them all of last season, and he's already past his 69 RBI total from 2023. Also, his slash line currently lies at .288/.365/.583, which is a considerable step up from the .246/.329/.488 slash line he posted last season. The MLB trade deadline is days away, and it would be hard to imagine the A's not trading Rooker and selling high on this breakout All-Star campaign of his. Fantasy managers should continue to start Rooker in all leagues while he's swinging a hot bat, and hope he can continue his torrid season if dealt by the A's during the trade deadline.
Brent Rooker
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Athletics
