Lawrence Butler Agrees to Seven-Year Extension with Athletics
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported late Thursday night that the Athletics and outfielder Lawrence Butler have agreed to a seven-year extension worth $65.5 million. The deal also includes a club option.
The Athletics made Butler a sixth round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Westlake High School in Atlanta.
Butler represented the A’s during the 2023 MLB Futures Game. He was called up to Oakland that year, where he only had a slash of .211/.240/.341, in 129 plate appearances.
The offensive struggles carried over into the first half of 2024 for Butler, as he put up a .211/.280/.406 line. Major adjustments were made at the plate in the second half - slashing .300/.345/.553. He finished the year with a 131 OPS+, along with an oWAR of 3.0 WAR.
On the defensive side, Butler recorded -1 Defensive Run Saved. However, among qualified, American League right fielders, he had the best Range Factor per nine at 2.38.
While it remains to be seen if Butler can produce stellar, offensive numbers over a full season, Athletics’ management seems to think that he can be a potential cornerstone piece for them with Sacramento and the eventual move to Las Vegas.