Nick Kurtz could sign the richest contract extension in Athletics history, passing up Tyler Soderstrom’s $86 million contract. Meanwhile, despite a strong 2025 season, Lucas Giolito has been unable to find a new team.
Let’s learn more about these updates.
Nick Kurtz Set to Eclipse Tyler Soderstrom’s $86M
Nick Kurtz is another A’s member who is waiting for an extension. Even his friends on the A’s are teasing him now, given the franchise has signed four of their members to a new extension in the last 14 months. This includes Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Jack Wilson.
The richest among these extensions, which amounts to $281.5 million combined, is that of Soderstrom’s seven-year, $86 million contract signed in December. The deal will take Soderstrom into 2032 with a club option available for the 2033 season.
According to The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner, Kurtz’s potential new contract extension could even eclipse Soderstrom’s $86 million contract as the richest in franchise history.
General manager David Forst has already dropped hints that they might be in talks with Kurtz.
“The four extensions we’ve signed the last 12 to 18 months – those aren’t the only four guys we’ve talked to,” Forst said. “We’re hopeful there will be more down the road.”
Meanwhile, Kurtz is also open to extending his future with the A’s.
“Definitely open and interested,” he said. “It’s just about timing. I’m really happy for Sodie and Willy. They deserve it. They’re unbelievable players, so I’m happy for them that they signed on and they’re going to be A’s for a long time.”
Lucas Giolito Market Still Stalled
We’re inching closer to Opening Day, but top free agent ace Lucas Giolito remains unsigned despite his bounce-back season with the Boston Red Sox last year. After missing the whole of 2024, Giolito returned last year to make 26 starts and record his lowest ERA since 2019. He logged a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings pitched. He declined a mutual option to hit the open market.
While he missed last season’s playoffs due to an elbow issue, he has gotten healthy since. FanSided’s Robert Murray reported that there are “few teams” talking with him, but that doesn’t include the Atlanta Braves, whose starting rotation has been hit badly.
“What’s going on with Lucas Giolito? There are a few teams that are talking to free-agent right-hander Lucas Giolito,” Murray wrote. “But he’s sifting through opportunities and appears willing to wait it out however long that may take. One team that made sense for Giolito, the Atlanta Braves, does not appear to be a serious threat. It’s surprising given the recent injuries to the Braves rotation, most notably to Spencer Schwellenbach, and a curious decision by Alex Anthopoulos. But unless there’s further attrition, I’d be pretty surprised if Giolito, or even Littell, wound up in Atlanta.”
It remains to be seen if the Braves come up with some interest for the former All-Star.
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