The Oakland Athletics are currently navigating a busy period, driven by their planned move to Las Vegas, with temporary operations in West Sacramento. Their strategy appears to involve increasing spending to appease the MLBPA and maintain revenue-sharing status during this transition. The club aims to build a young, exciting core to attract a fan base in Las Vegas, scheduled to open in 2028.
Kurtz, a promising player who debuted last year at 22, has garnered attention despite a high strikeout rate, thanks to his impressive walk rate and 36 home runs in 489 at-bats. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award, granting him retroactive service time, allowing the Athletics to control him for six seasons instead of five.
There is speculation that securing Kurtz now could cost around $150 million. His standing is akin to Julio Rodriguez’s earlier contract, although Rodriguez had more earning potential as a defensive center fielder. Kurtz is expected to surpass Roman Anthony’s $130 million contract due to his advanced experience. However, the Athletics would need to significantly raise their franchise record of $86 million to secure him, with concerns about potential performance risks if they wait. Ultimately, they could control Kurtz until 2030, which may align with their Las Vegas timeline.
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