MLB Rumors Reveal Nick Kurtz, A's Contract Offer Buzz After 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award

The Athletics aren't wasting any time in trying to keep one of their best young players in the fold.

According to MLB Network's Joel Sherman, two sources said the A's have made a long-term extension offer to first baseman Nick Kurtz, who won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2025.

Despite the proactive contract offer from the A's, Sherman noted that he "received no word on the likelihood of getting it to the finish line." Still, he pointed out that the team's recent history of getting pre-arbitration extensions done could be a reason for optimism.

The A's went 76-86 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year, but Kurtz was one of the team's lone bright spots. The 2024 No. 4 pick made his MLB debut last April after playing just 32 games in the minor leagues. In 117 games, he hit .290 with 36 home runs and 86 RBI on his way to earning a Silver Slugger Award in addition to his ROY honors.

ESPN's Buster Olney ranked Kurtz as the No. 3 first baseman in all of MLB, saying he has "a special set of skills" and explaining what he can do to improve.

"Kurtz's greatest adjustment might need to be made against left-handed pitchers because he is going to see a ton of them this year when opposing managers are trying to figure out a way to mitigate his power," Olney stated. "Last season, his OPS versus right-handed pitchers was 468 points higher than versus lefties -- 1.153 to .685. But given his immediate impact and steady improvement over last season, he figures to get better over time against lefties. His impressive history also suggests he'll turn around last year's walk/strikeout numbers of 63/151 -- through his college years and first season of pro ball, he had 201 walks and 120 strikeouts."

The A's would be wise to lock Kurtz up with a long-term deal as they try to emerge from their ongoing rebuild in 2026.