Brent Rooker DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during their loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday evening. Rooker went deep in the opening frame off Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Justin Steele. This two-run shot also scored outfielder Lawrence Butler. Later in the contest, he would cross home plate a second time on a Shea Langeliers home run. Rooker has turned the corner since going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Opening Day, going 7-for-22 with two home runs, five RBI, and four runs across his previous five contests. Last summer, the 30-year-old posted an impressive .293/.365/.562 slash line with 26 doubles and 39 home runs. His home run total was the fourth-most in the American League. He will look to stay hot on Wednesday, facing Jameson Taillon.

Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and one run scored in Friday's 7-0 win over the Mariners. The home run was his first of the young season after smacking 39 of them in 2024. The former All-Star belted 30 HR in 2023 as well, but hit only .246, so last season's improved .293 average helped earn him a 2024 Silver Slugger award. Rooker and the A's will take on Bryce Miller and the Mariners again on Saturday, a pitcher who the right-handed slugger is 2-for-8 off of in his career withthree strikeouts.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Athletics have signed designated hitter Brent Rooker to a five-year contract extension worth $60 million. The contract includes a sixth-year vesting option at $22 million which could be further increased. This new extension will now pay Rooker $30 million over the next three seasons which would have been his arbitration years. Earlier this offseason, both sides were showing interest in an extension and were able to get it done. Since joining the Athletics in 2023, Rooker has turned his career around. In 2023, he launched 30 home runs with a .246/.329/.488 line. Last summer, he continued to improve as he launched a career-best 39 home runs with 11 stolen bases and a .293/.365/.562 line. Under the hood, he generated a stellar .380 xwOBA and .557 xSLG. Despite being a utility only player on most platforms, he remains a top target for power in all fantasy formats.

The Athletics plan to keep outfielder Brent Rooker this offseason despite speculation that he might be moved. "We're going to keep Rooker," general manager David Forst said. Rooker is one of the team's best bargaining chips, but they are going to hang onto him after posting a second straight strong season in 2024 with a .293/.365/.562 slash line and .927 OPS to go along with career-highs in home runs (39), RBI (112), stolen bases (11) and runs scored (82) in 614 plate appearances and 145 games played. The 30-year-old underwent surgery on his right forearm in early October for an injury he had played through for much of the year. The good news is that Rooker is expected to be fully healthy for spring training in 2025 and will be a popular outfield target in fantasy despite playing for the lowly A's.

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (forearm) underwent right-forearm extensor surgery earlier this week, according to Athletics general manager David Forst. Rooker had been dealing with an elbow issue all year, though it did not hinder his ability to hit. The 29-year-old hadn't played in the field since May 30, so if it affected his throwing abilities, it would not have been noticed over the last few months. Rooker had an incredible season at the plate, hitting for a 165 OPS+. Should his recovery from surgery go well and if he doesn't experience any setbacks, Rooker will be a prime target in fantasy drafts, as his bat will continue to drive value for the A's as they move into Sacramento for the 2025 season. Dynasty managers shouldn't worry about Rooker's surgery much given that it didn't affect his ability to hit. Assuming all goes well, he'll continue to be one of the strongest bats in the A's lineup.