The Oakland Athletics may be in the midst of a rebuild, but there’s no mistaking the optimism surrounding the club heading into 2026. Manager Mark Kotsay has a clear vision-and more importantly, a core of young talent that’s already showing signs it could be something special.
At the heart of that optimism is a group of six position players who’ve either arrived or broken through in a big way. First baseman Nick Kurtz and shortstop Jacob Wilson finished first and second, respectively, in the American League Rookie of the Year voting-a rare and encouraging one-two punch for a franchise that’s been searching for foundational pieces.
Tyler Soderstrom, once a top catching prospect, made a notable leap after transitioning to the outfield. Add in the steady contributions from catcher Shea Langeliers, slugger Brent Rooker, and the athletic Lawrence Butler, and the A’s suddenly have a young nucleus that’s not just promising-it’s producing.
“You get those six guys in that core group kind of going forward together, I think that the continuity, the culture can only elevate our success,” Kotsay said Tuesday at the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando.
That’s not just coach-speak. There’s substance behind the sentiment.
Rooker and Butler have already committed long-term, with Rooker inking a five-year, $60 million deal back in January-the highest annual value ever handed out in a contract extension by the franchise. Butler followed two months later, agreeing to a seven-year, $65.5 million extension.
For a team that’s historically been cautious with its checkbook, those deals are a clear signal that something’s shifting in Oakland.
And Kotsay wants to keep the momentum going.
“There’s a big effort there to keep this group together, there really is,” he said. “I know ownership is making that effort.”
He didn’t shy away from referencing the past either. The A’s have had talented cores before-think back to the group that emerged in 2017 through 2019-but the resources weren’t there to keep that team intact. This time, Kotsay believes the front office is better positioned to make a long-term investment in its young talent.
“There’s a vision and a future here going forward with this group,” he said. “At the same point, it takes two to come to the table and reach that agreement and make that commitment.”
General manager David Forst seems to be on the same page. The front office has already opened negotiations with members of the young core, and while Forst didn’t name names publicly, he confirmed that conversations are underway.
“Without naming anyone, we’ve made offers,” Forst said earlier this offseason. “We’re having conversations here. I’m hopeful we’ll make progress.”
That’s a significant development for a franchise that, under current ownership, hasn’t been known for locking up homegrown players. But the recent extensions for Rooker and Butler, along with the free-agent signing of veteran right-hander Luis Severino, suggest the A’s might be turning a corner financially.
Of course, locking up young stars isn’t always simple. Kotsay, who played 17 seasons in the majors, understands the hesitation some players might feel when asked to commit early in their careers.
“I’ve sat in those shoes,” he said. “To make that commitment prior to really hitting a pinnacle in your career and taking advantage of that opportunity monetarily-it’s a big decision.”
Still, he’s hopeful more deals will follow. And with Rooker and Butler already on board, Kotsay believes their leadership and buy-in could help bring the rest of the group along.
“We’ve got two guys that have made that commitment that are really supportive and that will push to get their teammates on board,” he said.
The A’s aren’t there yet. But for the first time in a while, there’s a sense that they’re building toward something sustainable. With a young core that’s already proving it can compete-and a front office showing a willingness to invest in that future-the 2026 season could mark the beginning of a new era in Oakland.
