The Oakland Athletics officially started a new era of rebuilding plan, reaching a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension agreement with 24-year-old right fielder Lawrence Butler on the evening of the 23rd, including a team option for 2032. The pending contract will lock the young man into the 2031 season and establish him as the centerpiece of the team's transition to Las Vegas.

Butler exploded in the second half of the 2024 season, hitting a terrific 33 of 0.302/0.346/0.597 in 73 games from June 30 to the end of the season, contributing 20 home runs, 18 second run hits, 49 RBIs and 14 base steals, with an attack index (OPS) of 0.943. During that time, he became only the third player under the age of 24 in MLB history to score three shots in a single season, alongside Hall of Fame legend Ralph Keener and Dodge superstar Murkey Bates.

Although Butler was not scheduled to be a free agent until 2029, Athletic management was eager to complete the binding before his value climbed. The team will be temporarily stationed at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for the next three years before moving to a new stadium in Las Vegas, which is scheduled to open on opening day in 2028.

According to the data website, Butler had a weighted score creation value (wRC+) of 167 in the second half of last year, behind only Juan Soto (174), Shohei Ohtani (181), teammate Rook (181), Yordan Alvarez (187), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (189), Bobby Witt Jr. (196) and Aaron Judge (225) in the same period.

In addition to re-signing Butler and Rooke, the Athletics signed a three-year contract extension (including a 2029 team option) to coach coach Mark Cosay last month to ensure that he will be at the helm of the Sacramento transition period and the first season in Las Vegas.

"I aspire to wear the green and gold jersey for the rest of my life," Butler pledged his loyalty to MLB.com two weeks ago, "Athletics gave me the opportunity to graduate from high school at the age of 17, and this is where my most cherished friendship is forged." At the end of his career, it would be a great honour to be remembered as Dave Stewart and Ricky Henderson. This long-term contract gives it the opportunity to write a legend for at least the next seven years.