MAJOR SETBACK: According to the Texas Rangers’ manager, the team has officially confirmed the departure of fan favorite right fielder, who has moved to the Atlanta Braves. This follows his expressed intention to leave the Rangers due to a misunderstanding with the team’s CEO earlier this morning. Additionally, the player was officially designated a free agent today, as confirmed by an ESPN reporter covering the trade. The move was finalized after the Rangers and Braves agreed to a remarkable three-year contract worth $87.6 million. However…

Meanwhile, the Northern California Athletics have secured a five-year, $60 million contract extension with designated hitter Brent Rooker, according to multiple reports. The agreement includes an option for a sixth year at $22 million.

Rooker was claimed off waivers by the A’s from the Kansas City Royals in November 2022. Since joining Oakland, he has been highly productive, posting a .272/.348/.528 batting line and 69 home runs over the last two years. In 2024, he recorded a .293/.365/.562 slash line and finished 10th in the MVP voting with a 5.6 bWAR.

Entering his age-30 season, Rooker had previously struggled with limited playing time for the Minnesota Twins before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2022. After another trade to the Royals, he was waived by Kansas City and subsequently picked up by the A’s.

The contract extension also covers Rooker’s first three arbitration years and potentially two or three years of free agency.