Athletics reportedly sign Lawrence Butler to 7-year extension

Another massive deal coming down the pipe

In a shocking late-night development on Thursday evening, the Athletics and outfielder Lawrence Butler have reportedly agreed to a massive 7-year deal that’ll keep Butler in the Green & Gold for a very long time:

The Athletics’ busy offseason continues. The deal is for a whopping $66.5 million with a club option for an eighth season. We heard only a couple of weeks ago that the team and player had begun contract negotiations, and tonight they reportedly put pen to paper. The deal buys out one year of Butler’s free agency while giving the team the option for two. Here’s what the man himself said about the idea of a contract extension just two weeks ago:

“Hey, whatever the organization chooses to do, I’m happy with it,” Butler said Wednesday in the A’s clubhouse when asked about the possibility of an extension. “I love being here. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to play here. So, yeah, no comment on that.”

Butler came into his own in the second half of the season last year. A mid-season demotion back to Triple-A seemed to spark a fire in the 24-year old right fielder. From when he returned to the end of the season Butler was one of the best hitters in baseball, slashing .291/.330/.565 with 20 home runs. He’s also got speed as he swiped 18 bags over the entire season. Extrapolate that over a full year and he’d be in the MVP conversation and hovering around a 40/40 season. He also had some pretty notable moments last season:

The former 6th-round pick has seemingly picked up right where he left off this spring. He’s hitting .563 with a pair of home runs in just 16 at-bats. He seems utterly primed for a massive breakout, the likes of which will put him on the national radar. It’s been a while since the A’s had one of those. The club is counting on Butler continuing to grow as a hitter, fielder, and leader of the clubhouse. He already has earned the respect of his teammates and will be a big influence on how the team’s young crop of position players adapt to the major leagues.

Butler will begin the year in the leadoff spot but could eventually move down the order into the #2 or #3 hole if he continues this power surge. Furthermore, this deal makes it all but certain that Butler will be an Athletic whenever the A’s finally make it to Las Vegas. Do A’s fans finally have a player they can buy a jersey of with the hope he plays his entire career here?

Glad to have you locked up Lawrence! A’s fans are excited to see what you do in your first full season. It’s going to be special.