Report: A’s offer Nick Kurtz big extension, but deal unlikely

The A’s have already locked in several key players to long-term extensions this offseason, but it doesn’t look like Nick Kurtz will be doing the same before Opening Day.

Kurtz, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, burst onto the scene during the 2025 season and has already placed himself among the best first basemen in baseball at just 23 years old.

While players like shortstop Jacob Wilson and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom have joined teammates Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler in signing long-term pacts with the A’s, Kurtz does not have a deal in place with Opening Day set for Friday in Toronto.

According to The New York Post‘s Jon Heyman, the Athletics offered Kurtz an extension believed to be “well north of $100 million (maybe $130 million or so),” but a deal is considered “a long shot.”

Kurtz, the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, isn’t set to become a free agent until 2032. He’ll become eligible for arbitration following the 2027 season.

Heyman: Athletics offered Nick Kurtz an extension believed to be “well north of $100M (maybe $130M or so).”

Extension currently considered a long shot. pic.twitter.com/wNyIGwG5FQ

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) March 20, 2026

Extensions for Wilson, Soderstrom, Rooker, and Butler took those players through their arbitration years with some financial security, but Kurtz–who appears to be on a superstar trajectory as a slugging first baseman–could likely secure a larger payday if he continues to replicate or outperform his rookie season.

If the A’s want any good news out of Kurtz turning down an extension, it’s this: Kurtz isn’t represented by superagent Scott Boras, who usually looks to take his clients to the open market rather than ink long-term extensions.

More on A’s 1B Nick Kurtz

There are few hitters who have burst onto the MLB scene with as much dominance as Nick Kurtz did during the 2025 season, and the reigning AL Rookie of the Year is just getting started.

Nick Kurtz, just 23 years old, mashed 36 home runs and drove in 86 runs after being called up in late April. The fourth-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft batted .290 and posted a 1.002 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, good enough for second in the American League, only trailing New York Yankees’ MVP outfielder Aaron Judge.

Kurtz became somewhat of a household name for baseball fans last season on July 25th when he mashed four home runs and drove in eight runs.

‘The Big Amish’ finished the night 6-for-6 with four home runs, a double, and a single, tying the Major League Baseball record with 19 total bases. He also drove in eight runs and scored six times, becoming just the 20th player in MLB history to record a four-home run game — and the first rookie ever to accomplish the feat.

The performance placed Nick Kurtz alongside Shawn Green as the only players in league history to combine four homers and six hits in a single game. It also marked the first six-hit game by an A’s player since 1955.

Nick Kurtz was one of four A’s players to be named in this year’s ESPN Top 100, joining DH Brent Rooker (64), catcher Shea Langeliers (75), and shortstop Jacob Wilson (94).

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Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule

• Friday, March 27-Sunday, March 29 @ Toronto Blue Jays (Opening Weekend)
• Monday, March 30-Wednesday, April 1 @ Atlanta Braves
• Friday, April 3-Sunday, April 5 vs. Houston Astros
• Tuesday, April 7-Thursday, April 9 @ New York Yankees
• Friday, April 10-Sunday, April 12 @ New York Mets

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Frankie Cartoscelli Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Author Name: Franklin Cartoscelli Bio: Franklin 'Frankie' Cartoscelli is Sactown Sports 1140's Lead Editor, Sacramento Kings beat writer and co-host of the Return of the Roar podcast. Professional Background: Worked in professional sports… Read more

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