"Most underpaid contract in MLB"; "He's the next Mike Trout" - Fans react to Brent Rooker's reported $60,000,000 contract extension with Athletics

Brent Rooker reportedly signed a five-year $60 million contract with the Athletics that will keep him at the club till the 2029-30 season. The As seem to have found a bargain price for the outfielder, who has turned plenty of heads in the MLB in the last two years.

Brent Rooker made his way to the As setup as a 28-year-old who was rejected by three other organizations. He was picked up off waivers when the franchise was in Oakland before the 2023 season. In two full seasons, the center fielder has hit 69 home runs at .272 for the Athletics.

As he is yet to log six seasons of MLB game time, Rooker will not be eligible for free agency for at least three more years. He is set to earn a $30 million salary in those seasons. Thus, the five-year contract includes the two extra years where he could have been a free agent. It also includes a sixth-year club option worth $22 million.

The numbers, as per the general fans' projection, are a lot less than what Rooker should earn at 30 years of age. Some even compared him to Mike Trout, who earned 482k to $1 million during his first three arbitration years.

Instagram reactions to Brent Rooker signing the extension with the Athletics. (Source: Instagram @mlb)

"He's the next Mike Trout, you know?," a fan said.

"Bro got the most underpaid contract in MLB," another fan said.

"5 years, 60 million. Wow," one fan said.

Here are some more reactions from fans:

"As spending and doing it smart, wow ok," one fan said.

"Robbery!" another fan said.

"Wow, nice to see a player who's loyal and not greedy, good for him!!!," one fan said.

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Brent Rooker impressed with As picks this offseason

The As have been quite busy this offseason as per their standards. They signed Luis Severino to a record three-year $67 million contract, added Gio Urshela and traded for LHP Jeffrey Springs. Brent Rooker was satisfied with how the team has approached this offseason and was hopeful for the 2025 season.

“Those three additions are going to be a big help,” Rooker said in an exclusive interview with MLB. “We liked where we were at the end of last year, and I think we’re a better team now than we were then. Heading into Spring Training, the expectations are high, the hopes are high, and we’re excited about where our team is.”

The Athletics seemed to have found some vigor with them moving to Sacramento this year before their eventual permanent home in Las Vegas.