Lawrence Butler, Athletics agree to seven-year extension

Lawrence Butler, Athletics agree to seven-year extension

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler has agreed to a seven-year, $66.5 million extension with the organization, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan first reported Thursday evening. The deal will include one club option.

BREAKING: Outfielder Lawrence Butler and the A’s are in agreement on a seven-year, $66.5 million contract extension with one club option, sources tell ESPN. Butler, 24, broke out as a rookie last year and is seen as a foundational player for the A’s moving forward.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 7, 2025

The official terms about how the contract will be dispersed has not been disclosed at the time of this publishing.

Butler’s extension buys out the rest of his pre-arbitration and arbitration seasons (through 2029) plus at least two extra seasons, according to Fangraphs.

The outfielder broke out in his first full season with the Athletics. He slashed .262/.317/.490 with 22 home runs, 24 doubles, two triples and 57 RBIs through 125 games. His 131 OPS+ was the second-best on the team behind designated hitter Brent Rooker; his 22 home runs finishing behind Rooker and catcher Shei Langeliers.

This is a great deal for the Athletics, locking up a talented young outfielder through his age-31 season. Last year, he finished in the 73rd percentile or better in expected batting average, expected slugging, barrel rate, hard-hit rate and average exit velocity, according to Statcast. He makes hard contract, will run the bases well and was an adequate fielder.

Butler will also be playing in a hitter-friendly park next season in Sacramento in 2025 and won’t be hitting in a boom box in Oakland anymore (too soon?!?). That’s a plus.

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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates!

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