BREAKING: Philadelphia Phillies Heavily Trade Signs Extension Oakland Athletics outfielder and designated hitter Brent Rooker immediately after signing five-year $60 million slugger pact.

Despite having one of the strongest rosters in baseball, which propelled them to the second-best record in MLB in 2024, the Philadelphia Phillies still have their flaws.

With Bryce Harper transitioning to a full-time role at first base last season, the Phillies’ outfield has struggled offensively. Brandon Marsh has been the most productive outfielder, posting a 109 OPS+, but the unit as a whole has been underwhelming. Nick Castellanos has yet to regain his peak form during his time in Philadelphia, and his defensive struggles make him one of the worst outfielders in the league. Meanwhile, Johan Rojas has been outstanding defensively, ranking among the best in baseball, but his offensive contributions have been minimal.

These challenges prompted the Phillies to explore upgrades at the trade deadline, with Oakland Athletics outfielder and designated hitter Brent Rooker rumored as a prime target. However, late Monday night, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Rooker and the Athletics agreed to a team-friendly five-year, $60 million contract extension. The deal also includes a vesting option for a sixth year, potentially adding another $30 million, though the specific vesting criteria are currently unknown.

Rooker, who played for three different teams during his first three years in the majors without consistent starting opportunities, has thrived since joining Oakland as a waiver claim before the 2023 season. With regular playing time, he has posted a .272/.348/.528 slash line over 1,140 plate appearances in 282 games, hitting 69 home runs, driving in 181 runs, and achieving a 147 OPS+. He has hit 30 or more home runs in both seasons with Oakland and has maintained an OPS+ of 127 or better.

A right-handed power hitter, Rooker would have been an ideal fit for Philadelphia. According to Baseball Savant, had he played all of his games at Citizens Bank Park in 2023 and 2024, he likely would have hit 32 and 43 home runs, respectively—six more than his actual total across those two seasons.

With this extension in place, the possibility of the Phillies acquiring Rooker appears to be off the table. It now seems highly likely that he will remain with the Athletics for the duration of his new contract.