MLB Rumors: Yonder Alonso ‘open’ to extension with A’s

Athletics first baseman Yonder Alonso is “open” to signing a long-term deal with Oakland, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Alonso expressed this sentiment when he and Rosenthal talked about his future with the A’s and where he fits in their plan to revive the franchise with young talent. The 30-year-old has been mentioned in trade speculations because he is a free agent after this season and the A’s have Ryon Healy waiting in the wings to possibly take over first. The A’s, who promoted third base prospect Matt Chapman on Thursday, also have shortstop Franklin Barreto, right fielder Matt Olson, catcher Bruce Maxwell and left-hander A.J. Puk among their many top prospects.

“I keep reading that the new young wave of talent is coming to the Oakland A’s. Does it scare me? No,” Alonso said to Rosenthal. “I think that there is a great chance that I stay here. I really do mean that. The guys they have, the young core that they have, are all guys I can relate to.”

Alonso feels he “can relate to” the core because of his experiences. He is in the middle of his sixth full MLB season and eighth overall since being drafted with the No. 7 pick by the Reds. He has slashed a career .272/.340/.407 in 721 games with the Reds, Padres and Athletics.

“I’ve been around,” he said. “I’ve got six years under my belt. I’ve stunk. I’ve been hurt. I’ve almost gotten released. I’ve been traded. I’ve sat, gotten benched, and started. I’ve done it all.”

Alonso also has family ties in California, as his wife is from Redding, which is three hours from Oakland. This is a further incentive that he does not want to be traded or let go by the organization.

“For me, that means everything,” Alonso said. “A lot of players here say, ‘I want to play well here, do well and get out.’ I actually want to play well, do well and stay here.”