The Athletics signed outfielder Lawrence Butler (24) to a seven-year contract extension worth $66.5 million on Thursday night, according to MLB insider Jeff Passan.
The deal also includes a club option for 2032.
Butler was a standout rookie for the Athletics last season, slashing .262/.317/.490 with 22 home runs, 57 RBI, and 18 stolen bases.
A once sixth-round pick of the 2018 MLB Draft has now become a vital cornerstone in the Athletics' future.
The team, who finished 69-93 last season, also extended star player Brent Rooker to a five-year, $60 million deal (click here for details).
While expectations for the Athletics aren't high for the upcoming season, the two signings show that they're finally serious about keeping their own talent to build something worth noting in an American League (AL) West division that could be on the downslope.