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The Oakland Telegraph
5 May 2026
Oakland stalwart Olson signs contract extension to 2028
By X. Tension-Agreed, contract negotiations correspondent
Oakland's general manager Paulie Beane has never traded for or signed a first baseman. He inherited Ike Davis in the position in 2015 from his predecessor, Billy Beane, and promoted Matt Olson from the minor league roster when he traded Davis away at the end of the 2016 season. Olson has then occupied the position permanently in the nine seasons since, averaging well over 150 games per season. In the five years from 2020 to 2024 he missed only five games.
Olson, 32, has been in good form this year, boasting a .370 on-base percentage with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs, helping the A's establish a 17-9 record. He has signed for $5.5m per year for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, a reduction on his current $9m deal which ends this year. Beane told reporters, "Mary-Kate, er sorry, Matt, is an integral part of this team and has four World Series rings. I'm delighted he's agreed to stay with us. Primarily because he's happy to accept a lot less cash, which obviously trumps all other considerations."
Meanwhile, Oakland's fitness problems continued as creaking starting pitcher Jose Fernandez came out of yesterday's 5-3 win over Seattle with back tightness. Fortunately physio Walter Proofplasters ruled him day to day and he should be fit for his next start. Alejandro Gusman has now returned to the active roster after his injury, where he will resume regularly committing needless errors at second base.
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