Despite missing a huge chunk of the 2025 season with a fractured right forearm, Twins rookie second baseman Luke Keaschall proved he has what it takes to be a star at the highest level by hitting .302/.382/.445 (128 OPS+) with four home runs, 28 RBI, 24 runs and 14 stolen bases in 49 games.
Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom extension should inspire Twins to sign Luke Keaschall long-term
Keaschall will make the league minimum through the 2028 season and will be under team control through the 2031 season, assuming he doesn't get demoted to the minors. While that's a ton of team control, the Twins would likely benefit from buying out Keaschall's arbitration years and adding some more seasons of team control.
The Twins should be inspired to do so after the Athletics signed left fielder/first baseman Tyler Soderstrom to a seven-year, $86 million contract extension. The deal marks the largest guarantee in Athletics franchise history. It also includes a club option for 2028 and escalators, which could increase the value of the contract to $131 million. The extension buys out three free agent years and possibly a fourth.
Last season, Soderstrom posted 4.3 bWAR and hit .276/.346/.474 (126 OPS+) with 25 home runs, 34 doubles, 93 RBI and eight stolen bases in 158 games. If he continues to perform like he did last season, the Athletics will have one of the most valuable contracts in the sport.
It took Soderstrom a while to live up to his potential. He was worth -1.1 bWAR over 45 games in his rookie season (2023) before being worth 0.5 bWAR in 61 games the following year and his breakout 2025 season. Meanwhile, Keaschall has already proved he can be a star in MLB in just 49 career games. The Twins should offer him a similar extension to the one the Athletics gave Soderstrom.
Sure, Keaschall could regress, but all signs point toward him being a future All-Star. Extending him now could lead to Minnesota having one of the best bargain contracts in MLB, just as the Athletics hope to have with Soderstrom's contract in the future.