Brent Rooker has secured a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Oakland Athletics, as confirmed by sources to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The agreement features a sixth-year vesting option worth $22 million, which can increase based on performance metrics. The Athletics will allocate $30 million to Rooker over the initial three years of the deal, covering what would have been his arbitration years.

At 30, Rooker has emerged as a valuable player for the A's, who opted to retain him instead of trading him during the offseason. The franchise has been active in the market, having invested over $100 million, including signing pitcher Luis Severino to a record-setting three-year, $67 million contract. This flurry of spending continues with the additions of third baseman Gio Urshela and left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs, signaling a new era for the team as they prepare for the 2025 season.

The Athletics will temporarily play in West Sacramento while awaiting the completion of their new stadium in Las Vegas. Rooker was recently spotted courtside at the Golden 1 Center during an NBA matchup between the Sacramento Kings and the Miami Heat, attending the game alongside A's manager Mark Kotsay and teammates JP Sears, JJ Bleday, and Lawrence Butler.

This article presents bold predictions for the upcoming fantasy baseball season, highlighting potential breakout players and performance expectations.

Among the predictions, Lawrence Butler is expected to become a top-5 outfielder with a 30/30 season, while Michael King is projected as a top-5 starter. Matt Wallner is anticipated to follow in Brent Rooker's footsteps, and Carlos Rodon is likely to lead MLB in strikeouts.

Additionally, Luke Weaver is predicted to save 30 games for the New York Yankees, and both Michael Toglia and Tyler Soderstrom could finish in the top 10 for first basemen. Finally, Joe Ryan is forecasted to win the AL Cy Young award.

The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners, despite missing the playoffs, cultivated a competitive rivalry this season. The A's secured two walk-off victories against the Mariners in September, impacting their postseason hopes, while Seattle concluded their year with a series sweep over Oakland.

Outfielders Lawrence Butler and Julio Rodriguez also engaged in a friendly competition, with Butler notably robbing Rodriguez of several hits, including a home run in their last matchup. Both players are emerging stars in the American League, showcasing impressive statistics despite the challenges they faced this season.

The Oakland Athletics faced a challenging 2024 season, finishing with a 69-93 record, but there were bright spots amidst the struggles. Brent Rooker emerged as a standout player, hitting 39 home runs and achieving an impressive .927 OPS. Mason Miller transitioned to a closer role, successfully converting 28 saves with a stellar 2.49 ERA.

Despite individual successes, the pitching staff struggled overall, with the team ranking low in ERA. Zack Gelof's performance was disappointing after a strong 2023, and veteran pitchers failed to stabilize the rotation. The A's will need to focus on internal improvements for the future.

As the regular season concludes, a review of standout players by position reveals significant value relative to their draft positions. Notably, Shea Langeliers of the Oakland Athletics emerged as a top catcher, despite a low batting average, thanks to his power hitting.

Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians excelled at first base, nearly doubling his home run count from the previous year. Meanwhile, Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers made headlines for his speed, stealing 50 bases despite a poor batting average.

Willy Adames also shone for the Brewers, hitting 32 home runs and stealing 21 bases. Mark Vientos of the New York Mets had a strong finish at third base, while Brent Rooker and Jarren Duran provided impressive outfield performances, with Rooker hitting 39 home runs and Duran showcasing speed and power.