A’s, SS Jacob Wilson agree to 7-year contract extension

The Athletics are on their way to locking down a full batting order before they get to Las Vegas.

They agreed with second-year shortstop Jacob Wilson on a seven-year deal on Friday, with ESPN reporting it’s worth $70 million. The deal for Wilson, 23, has an eighth-year club option.

The team is scheduled to move to a stadium on the Strip in time for the 2028 MLB season.

The deal comes almost a month after outfielder Tyler Soderstrom signed a seven-year, $86 million contract extension, which was the largest guaranteed contract in franchise history.

Wilson finished second in AL rookie of the year voting last season behind teammate Nick Kurtz. Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs, winning the voting for AL shortstops to start in the All-Star game.

Wilson will become the fourth core A’s player to sign a long-term deal in the past year. Besides Soderstrom, the team previously signed right fielder Lawrence Butler to a seven-year, $65.5 million contract and designated hitter Brent Rooker to a five-year, $60 million contract.

Catcher Shea Langeliers will likely be the Athletics’ next long-term target. He has 88 home runs and 234 RBIs over three seasons.

The A’s also could also try to lock up Kurtz at first base. His rookie of the year season was highlighted by a .290 batting average with 36 homers and 96 RBIs.

The Wilson deal all but assures the A’s will have Wilson, Soderstrom, Butler, Rooker, Langeliers and Kurtz for the first few seasons in Las Vegas. Only Langeliers would become a free agent after the 2028 season if he does not receive a long-term deal.