Oakland Athletics slugger Brent Rooker addressed criticism following his $60 million contract extension signed during the offseason, clarifying why the deal makes sense for his career situation. Rooker spoke out on the Diggin’ Deep Show to explain why comparisons to contracts like Juan Soto’s are misleading and why his contract was the right move given his timeline to free agency.
Rooker stated,
“I kept my mouth shut for the most part, but the negative tweets after I signed my extension got to me a little bit,”
(2:58 onwards) reflecting on the public backlash.
“Just because it’s like, ‘You took a bad deal.’ I’m like, ‘No, you guys don’t understand what’s happening.’”
He stressed that his path to free agency differs significantly from younger stars who recently signed massive contracts.
“I’m not a free agent. I have three more years to get to free agency. I’m going to walk into free agency at age 33. Like, it’s not the same as walking into free agency at 26 like Juan Soto just did, or even like Vlad Jr. is about to do, or even like Anthony Santander just did.”
Rooker highlighted that big deals such as Juan Soto’s $765 million contract with the New York Mets, Anthony Santander’s five-year, $92.5 million agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension serve different contexts for each player’s career stages.
Rooker’s Breakout and Gratitude Toward the Athletics
After a long wait for a stable MLB opportunity, Rooker’s 2023 season marked his breakout campaign with the Athletics, who claimed him off waivers in November 2022. He led Oakland with 30 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 226 total bases, showcasing his improved production and value to the team.
Rooker expressed his appreciation for the Athletics organization during the interview, saying,
“The A’s are the team that was willing to do that, which I’m incredibly thankful for.”
He also expressed hope and confidence in the team’s future, noting,
“And it’s also… I think our next few years — we’re really optimistic about the kind of team we can put out there. We’ve got some really good young talent. We made some good additions. We’re trending in the right direction, and the opportunity to be a part of that moving forward was exciting as well.”
Current Performance and Leadership Role with Oakland
Rooker remains a key contributor for the Athletics this season, currently batting .276 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs. His leadership and steady offensive output continue to bolster Oakland’s lineup as the team looks to build on its young core.
His stance on contract comparisons emphasizes the nuances involved in player negotiations, especially when factoring in age, free agency timing, and team fit. Rooker’s extension reflects a strategic choice to secure stability while preparing to enter free agency later in his career, distinguishing his situation from younger stars locking in record deals early.