Oakland Athletics infielder Tyler Soderstrom secured his future with the club, agreeing to a seven-year, $86 million contract extension on Christmas, a move that speaks volumes about valuing stability in a sport often defined by uncertainty.
Soderstrom’s Security: A Family Affair
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The young A’s star’s decision reflects a lesson learned from his father’s brief MLB career.
- Tyler Soderstrom, 24, signed the largest contract in Athletics history.
- The deal includes a club option for 2033 and potential escalators worth up to $45 million.
- Soderstrom’s father, Steve, saw his own career cut short by injury.
- The Cardinals are prioritizing a trade for Brendan Donovan, but are seeking a significant prospect return.
- The Red Sox emerged as a potential trade partner for Donovan after dealing Willson Contreras.
For Soderstrom, the decision wasn’t just about the money—though the $86 million, with potential to reach $131 million through escalators, is substantial. It was about avoiding the fate of his father, Steve Soderstrom, a first-round pick in 1993 whose major league career lasted just 10 days due to injuries. The younger Soderstrom, coming off a strong season where he posted an .820 OPS with 25 home runs and solid defense in left field, is now under team control through his age-31 season.
The Athletics have been investing in their core position players, having extended Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler last winter. Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson are under team control for five seasons, while Shea Langeliers has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, signaling a commitment to building around young talent.
Donovan’s Value: Cardinals Play the Waiting Game
The St. Louis Cardinals anticipated an active offseason, and the trade of Sonny Gray was expected. However, the move of catcher Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox before Brendan Donovan was dealt came as a surprise to many.
Donovan, a 28-year-old utility player, has been a hot trade candidate since the offseason began. The Cardinals, however, are being deliberate, aiming to maximize their return in a rebuilding phase. They sent $20 million with Gray to Boston, relieving themselves of the $35 million he was owed in 2026. The Contreras trade, as reworked, involved the Cardinals sending an additional $8 million to the Red Sox.
The Cardinals are adamant they won’t trade Donovan without receiving a valuable prospect package. Donovan, fresh off his first All-Star season and with two years of team control, continues to draw interest, with the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants previously emerging as frontrunners. The Red Sox have also re-entered the conversation, seeking a middle infielder.
Contreras Trade: A Quick Resolution
Willson Contreras didn’t demand a trade from the Cardinals, and the team initially wasn’t looking to move him. However, the Baltimore Orioles’ signing of Pete Alonso shifted the corner infield landscape, creating a market for Contreras.
Contreras discussed the team’s rebuilding trajectory with Chaim Bloom at the end of last season and expressed a desire to stay, but also indicated he’d consider a trade if it benefited both parties. After Gray was traded, Contreras became more open to a move, ultimately approving a deal to the Red Sox after roughly two weeks of negotiations.
St. Louis received right-hander Hunter Dobbins and prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita, addressing a significant need for pitching depth. The trade also cleared the way for Alec Burleson to become the starting first baseman and freed up salary cap space, a crucial consideration for a team potentially facing a strike year in 2027.
Arenado’s Future Remains Unclear
While the Contreras trade progressed quickly, a deal for eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado has stalled. Trading Arenado remains a priority for the Cardinals, but his market is dependent on the situations of other free-agent third basemen, particularly Alex Bregman.
The Los Angeles Angels have shown interest in Arenado, but it’s uncertain if he would waive his no-trade clause to join them. The Arizona Diamondbacks could also emerge as a potential suitor if they miss out on Bregman, though no discussions have taken place. The Cardinals are willing to include money in a trade, as demonstrated with Gray, and a salary dump appears to be the most likely outcome.
Arenado has roughly $40 million remaining on his contract over the next two years and is reportedly open to playing both third and first base. However, the Cardinals are prepared to wait for the right offer.
Reds’ Outfield Depth: A Strategic Approach
The Cincinnati Reds view recent outfield additions JJ Bleday and Dane Myers as players with upside, providing depth in case they don’t make a larger acquisition, according to sources familiar with the club’s thinking.
Despite adding Bleday and Myers, both of whom can play center field, the Reds remain open to further strengthening their outfield via trade. They are not considering trading center fielder TJ Friedl. They could potentially deal from their rotation, but only if they can simultaneously improve the overall club.
Bleday, signed to a one-year deal, and Myers, acquired from the Miami Marlins, both have minor-league options. The Reds are hoping Bleday can return to his 2024 form (.762 OPS) and that Myers can complement Will Benson, a left-handed hitter who performs well against right-handed pitchers (Myers had a .778 OPS against lefties).
Posting Deadlines Loom for Japanese Players
Pitcher Tatsuya Imai’s posting deadline is Jan. 2, while corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto’s deadline is Jan. 4. Both players are represented by agent Scott Boras and have traveled to the U.S. to meet with teams. Several teams have already met with Imai in Los Angeles, with additional meetings expected this week.
Typically, a player reaches an agreement with a club a few days before the deadline to allow time for a physical, as was the case with Munetaka Murakami’s recent two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox, with David Keller and Satoshi Takahashi, were well-informed about Murakami and engaged in meaningful discussions once a shorter-term deal was on the table.
Murakami’s deal allows him to re-enter the market at 28. The White Sox expect him to provide power, something they lacked until Colson Montgomery arrived, and believe he fits a younger core including Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, and Chase Meidroth.
