Athletics GM: Team will keep Rooker amid trade speculation

Athletics general manager David Forst made it clear his club won't be trading slugger Brent Rooker anytime soon.

"We're going to keep (Rooker)," he told the media Tuesday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Rooker, 29, continued his upward trajectory this year after bursting on the scene in 2023. He belted 39 home runs with 112 RBIs while posting a .927 OPS (165 OPS+) in 145 games in 2024. His 5.1 fWAR ranked 11th in the American League.

Beyond his excellent production, Rooker's affordability would have made him an attractive trade piece. He's arbitration-eligible through 2027 and is estimated to make only $3.5 million in 2025, according to Spotrac.

The Athletics' payroll is projected to be just $28 million next season as they play their first campaign in Sacramento.